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Every year, the "Mandela Day", which coincides with the birth of "Madiba" in the village of Mvezo (southeast), is celebrated in the "rainbow nation" with charity actions and speeches.
"Act, inspire change, make each day a Mandela Day," urges the foundation that bears his name. For the centennial of her birth, she saw big by inviting former US President Barack Obama.
"Most people in the world remember Mandela as an old man with (white) hair like mine, "he said Wednesday to some 200 young people gathered in Johannesburg for leadership training.
But" he started trying to liberate his country when he was still a very young man. He was your age. He inspired me and I started, "he said, calling on young people to do the same. "Find a way not to sell your soul, but you must always get involved in politics," he urged.
The day before, during a speech at a stadium in Johannesburg, culmination Celebrations in tribute to "Madiba", Barack Obama recalled "the wave of hope that swept the world" to the release of Nelson Mandela February 2, 1990, after twenty-seven years behind bars.
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Four years later, without bloodshed after decades of a white racist regime, Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa, a position he held until in 1999.
"Thanks to his sacrifice and his resolute leadership, and perhaps even more through his moral example, Mandela (…) has personalized the aspirations of the dispossessed," said Barack Obama, saluting , in front of some 15,000 people, the memory of a "real giant of History. "
The entire South African nation has set Mandela on time, with shows, exhibitions, sports competitions, publication of books, printing of new banknotes with his effigy or making giant cakes , distribution of blankets and bicycles.
Desmond Tutu, companion of struggle of "Madiba", greeted Wednesday a man "perfect example of humanity". "The principles that have led his life are universal principles of love, justice, respect for others," said the 86-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner in a video broadcast by his foundation.
The most extraordinary thing about Mandela (who died in 2013) was his ability to be like ordinary mortals, "he insisted, though confident that he had some disagreements with him.
" We were not always agree, "he said, smiling. "His style of dress, for example. I told him he had to wear a suit and a tie for special occasions, instead of his colorful shirts. He replied to me, in a style of his own: "And this criticism comes from a man who wears in public a purple chasuble!"
"Promised Land"
The President South African Cyril Ramaphosa, protected by Nelson Mandela, celebrated the memory of "Madiba" in his native village of Mvezo, where he inaugurated a clinic.
Nelson Mandela "has led us since the savagery of the conflict and the oppression to the promised land, a land of freedom, democracy and equality, "he said.
But a quarter of a century after the fall of apartheid, racism still stirs tensions, poverty persists and the economy skates in South Africa, the most unequal world in the world according to the World Bank.
Some blame the successors of "Madiba" and the corruption that has won the highest summit of the state, including under the presidency of Jacob Zuma (2009-2018).
Others, rarer, are going even to treat him of "sold" to the white minority, which still holds most of the economic levers of the country.
Ndileka Mandela, granddaughter of "Madiba", indignant Wednesday of these positions . "It's really disgusting, especially given the sacrifices he made," she said. "I think when people can not solve their problems, they go after him because he's not there to defend himself."
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