Tribute to South Africa to Mandela, a "Giant of History"

One hundred years after the birth of Nelson Mandela, South Africa paid tribute to this icon of the struggle against apartheid with a symbolic march led by his widow, Graça Machel, and an organized forum by former US President Barack Obama

. Each year, the "Mandela Day", which marks the birth of "Madiba" on July 18, 1918, the nickname of the South African leader, is celebrated around the world. "Act, inspire yourself in change, make a Mandela Day every day," urges the foundation that bears his name.

Tuesday, in a speech at a stadium in Johannesburg in front of 15,000 people, at the height of the celebrations In tribute to "Madiba", Barack Obama recalled "the wave of hope that has seized the "after the release of Mandela on February 2, 1990, after being detained for 27 years.

Four years later, without bloodshed After decades of white racist rule, Mandela became the first black president of South Africa, a post he held until 1999

"Thanks to his sacrifice and his strong leadership, perhaps even to his moral example …) has personalized the aspirations of the disadvantaged," Barack Obama launched in a moving tribute to a "giant of History. "

" It shows us, we believe in freedom and democracy, we will have to fight even more. According to the World Bank, South Africa, the first industrial power of the African continent, is currently the least egalitarian country in the world.

New Notes

The country honored Mandela with performances, exhibitions, sports tournaments and book publishing. also the new notes.

Graça Mach el, third and last wife of Nelson Mandela, who died in 2013, led a march in Johannesburg before the Constitutional Court, a highly symbolic place, synonymous with the arrival of democracy in South Africa in 1994

For his part, Barack Obama spoke to about 200 young people who participated in a leadership training organized by his foundation in Johannesburg.

The day before, the exmandatario denounced a world sunk in an uncertain and strange "era", in a speech full of veiled attacks against his successor, Donald Trump.

He set out guard against "authoritarian" politicians who resort to "the politics of fear" and "just lie." And he also criticized politicians who deny climate change.

"I can not be d & # 39; agree with someone who says that climate change does not exist, while all scientists say the opposite, "he said Trump's decisions upon his arrival at the White House withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement

"Promised Land"

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, protected by Nelson Mandela, celebrated the 39, an event in the hometown of "Madiba" in Mvezo, Eastern Cape Province, southeast, where he opened a cl

Mandela "brought us from the brutality of conflict and oppression to the promised land" 1965-19004 But nearly 25 years after the official end of apartheid, poverty persists in South Africa's economy collapses and racism continues to stoke tensions

. they doubt the successors of "Madiba" and corruption that gangrene the summit of the state, especially under the presidency of Jacob Zuma (2009-2018).

Some even try to "sell" to the white minority, Ndileka Mandela, one of Nelson Mandela's granddaughters, was outraged Wednesday by this criticism

"This is really disgusting, given the sacrifices he made, "he said.

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