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Siyabulela Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, poses during a photo shoot in a library of George Mason University before an interview with AFP in Arlington, Virginia. – AFP Photo
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela this week with a flagship speech by former US President Barack Obama and a flood of memories and celebrations. tributes to the anti-apartheid leader.
died in 2013, he remains a global icon for his long struggle against the white minority and for his message of peace and reconciliation when he was released after 27 years in prison.
His birthday on July 18 is celebrated every year around the world and the Nelson Mandela Foundation has called this year for people to "act and inspire change" in the name of Mandela.
Obama will set the tone for the celebrations with a speech in Johannesburg on July 17 which will be his most important public speech since his release from the White House in 2017.
"This gives him the opportunity to pbad a message of tolerance, inclusivity and democracy at a time when there are obviously challenges for Mandela His badistant Benjamin Rhodes told the New York Times
that Obama will also hold a Discussion on July 18 for 200 young leaders selected across Africa to attend a five-day training program. [19659003] The former US president met with Mandela only briefly in 2005 but praised his funeral saying that Mandela "makes me want to be a better man" and hailing him as "the last great liberator of the 20th century." President Cyril Ramaphosa said he would mark "Mand ela 100 "by donating half his salary to charities to honor" the great sacrifices he has made and his tireless commitment to improving the lives of the most vulnerable ".
FW De Klerk, the former president who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela in 1993, told AFP that the 100th anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on the current problems of the world. South Africa
.
"His vision of a reconciled South Africa has become virtually non-existent within the ANC (ruling party) for the moment.
De Klerk, who said that he cherished his "deep friendship" with Mandela, added that he had found hope in good race relations between many ordinary people.
A World Bank report said this year that South Africa was the most unequal society in the world. Africans believe that Mandela's hopes for the country were disappointed by his successors.
Others accuse him of "selling" by allowing whites to keep control of most of the economy
. but we are not economic "We can not access education or wealth," said AFP Mtate Phakela, a 19-year-old resident of Soweto
. I have mixed feelings. He did his best, but those who came after could have done better. "
Among the many events marking this anniversary, there is a march in Johannesburg led by the widow of Mandela, Graca Machel, the release of letters from his cell Climbers climb Kilimanjaro, motorcyclists undertake a charity trip and a program of construction of 100 school libraries will be launched, along with a series of exhibitions, music festivals and sporting events.
The year commemorating the birth of Mandela will end with a concert in Johannesburg in December with Beyonce, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran, Pharrell Williams and Cbadper Nyovest
Mandela was imprisoned under apartheid law from 1962 to 1990 before leading the African National Congress Party to the victory in the first multi-race elections in 1994.
Served as president before resigning in 1999.
Obam's title Nelson Mandelson's annual conference It aims to renew Mandela's legacy and promote active citizenship in a changing world. – AFP
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