Remembering Nelson Mandela

 By Jideofor Adibe

July 18 of every year, which is Nelson Mandela’s birthday, is celebrated across the world as Mandela Day. It should be recalled that the United Nations General Assembly declared in November 2009 that July 18 of every year should be commemorated as Mandela International Day in recognition of the contributions of the late South African President to the culture of global peace. The Mandela Day was essentially aimed at honouring the late anti-Apartheid activist’s lifelong commitment to social justice, reconciliation, and human rights.

*Mandela 

The day also encourages individuals and communities worldwide to engage in acts of service that will make a positive impact in their communities. In December 2015, the UNGA extended the scope of the Mandela Day to also include promoting humane conditions of imprisonment, raising awareness about prisoners being a continuous part of society and valuing the work of prison staff as a social service of particular importance. The UNGA adopted the revised UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and approved that these should be known as the “Nelson Mandela Rules”.

My Democracy Is Not Your Democracy!

 By Owei Lakemfa

We were gathered. Some intellectuals, social activists, journalists, serving and retired diplomats. The primary issue was democracy. Is it universal and is there just a single, or multiple roads to democracy? Is the British democracy which calls itself the Mother of Parliaments, superior to the American version; is the latter better than the Australian or the Chinese? Is Russian democracy superior to the Ukrainian?

It was Thursday, April 27, 2023 and the venue was the Cuban Embassy on Diplomatic Drive, Abuja. The out-going Cuban Ambassador Clara Pulido Escandell was presenting the report of the  April 19, 2023 general elections in her country and explaining Cuban democracy within the context of  democracy in the modern world.

Racism In South Africa: Why The ANC Has Failed To Dismantle Patterns Of White Privilege

 By Mandisi Majavu - The Conversation

One of the sources of social discontent in post-apartheid South Africa is the legacy of white racism. This toxic legacy is evident in racialised poverty and inequality. It is a historical fact that the economic prosperity of whites in South Africa is based on the racist exploitation and impoverishment of blacks.

*Ramaphosa

The long history of racism enabled white South Africans to enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world by the 1970s. In his new book, titled Can We Unlearn Racism? , Jacob R Boersema, a New York University academic, shows that by the 21st century white South Africans' “lifetime work-related earnings on average are four times higher than for Africans”.

Add to this corruption , rampant crime , frightening levels of gender based violence and failing political institutions : the outcome is a social horror show that produces misery for millions of black people. This is what former president Thabo Mbeki was referring to in his recent scathing critique of the governing African National Congress (ANC).

Abolish The 1999 Constitution Of Nigeria

 By Babs Onabanjo

Peace will continue to elude Nigeria if the fraud in the 1999 constitution is not expunged forthwith. The Nigerian 1999 constitution has created a failed state and is at the point of no return according to the Council on Foreign Relations and the Harvard Kennedy School in the United States.

Long before this devastating assessment, I have written many articles warning about the potential crises of enormous proportions should the government ignore the signs and the call for restructuring through regional autonomy. I also stressed the urgent need to rewrite the constitution with the intent to address the fundamental issues regarding restructuring and the overbearing power and influence of the Federal Government.

The constitution with its exclusive list is counterproductive to development, growth and the ability of regions, states and local governments to function effectively. This is designed to slow down growth and development in order to create perpetual dependency on the Federal Government begging for crumbs and scraps thereby making it impossible for states or local governments to do what they can do for themselves.

Nigeria is now classified as a failed state unable to protect the citizens from internal conflict, violence Fulani jihadist incursion, Boko Haram insurgence and various groups demanding for self-determination and fast on the precipice of a total collapse.

The Nigerian 1999 constitution must be abolished and rewritten in line with the 1963 constitution which was suspended by the military coup of 1966. The current constitution was imposed by the military transition government with the intent to create a master-slave relationship between the centre and other branches of the government.

The constitution starts with a preamble – we the people – this is fraud and false. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated that truth crushed to earth shall rise again. Until we fix the constitution from which our laws are derived, there can be no justice. Hence the freedom of the citizens to exercise their inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness will be nonexistent and impossible.

If Nigeria is to avoid disintegration, there is need to heed to the demand of the South and Middle Belt Peoples Sovereign Movement (SOMPSOM) that there should be no election in 2023 until the constitution is abolished and rewritten by the people using as a reference the 1963 constitution. Indeed, there can never be peace without a just constitution. Likewise, there can never be peace without justice. The law of the land is governed by the constitution and when the constitution is flawed the laws will be flawed because the laws are derived from the constitution. Therefore, by implication, the unjust laws become the laws of the land.

The youth were fed up with the status quo and decided to do something about it by demanding for change which is their fundamental rights in a civilised society. However, to the world’s surprise the government unleashed terror of unimaginable dimension on peaceful protesters holding Nigerian flags and singing the national anthem. A civilised government would enter into a dialogue with the youth to find a common ground and proffer solutions through negotiation and sincere means. However, the world witnessed the horror of our lives displayed on various platforms across the world. Young children were massacred in cold blood using live ammunition at close range by the government who ought to protect them.

There must be consequences for the barbaric act committed against humanity and confirmed by the panel set up to investigate what happened on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki tollgate.

Dr. King believes that non-violent strategies are means to advocate for issues by using the principles of nonviolence. We are committed more than ever to continue to train the youths with the strategies of nonviolent principles as a way of life. It is not without risk; however, nonviolent strategies are only for the courageous. It assumes that the arc of the universe bends towards justice and that the higher power is always at play. With faith all things are possible. The Soviet Union crumbled without a shot, Berlin wall came down without a shot, Apartheid in South Africa was brought down by the power and will of persuasion and struggle of ideas through Mandela and ANC.

The #EndSARS taught us a lesson that when people come together in unison and are committed to that which is just and they are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no turning back but victory. The #EndSARS will regroup, reorganize, identify potential saboteurs (government-sponsored), remove their influence, engage industries, companies, civic organisations, churches, mosques, people of a good conscience, artists, students, all and sundry to join in the struggle for freedom, good government, and justice across ethnic and religious differences.

Meanwhile, Nigerians in Diaspora must be ready and willing to support #EndSARS in the struggle to demand for good governance, freedom and justice. We must continue to demand the following:
1. Total compliance with and implementation of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS related Abuses and Other matters recommendations.

2. Imposition of visa ban on top officials of the Nigerian government and their family members.

3. Freezing of the assets of the top officials of the Nigerian government.

4. Funding of NGOs and activists who are committed to free speech and non-violence in Nigeria.

5. Granting of asylum to activists who are being victimised by the Nigerian government.

6. Monitoring current and future sales of weapons to Nigeria (there should be stoppage of further sales temporarily).

7. Charging the government of Nigeria with human rights violations and crimes against humanity.
*Prof. Onabanjo is president, Nigerian Alliance for Democracy (1993-1999) and president, AD King Foundation, USA.

Risks And Rewards For South African President As He Takes The Stand At Corruption Inquiry

 By Richard Calland

President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to appear before the Zondo Commission of inquiry into corruption in South Africa comes at a delicate time. A great deal hinges on it. When a sitting President appears before a Judicial Commission of Inquiry it is always a significant moment.

*Ramaphosa and Zuma 

Sometimes a Commission will be concerned with a failure or with misconduct that has taken place under the particular head of government's own watch. But other times, it may be that it is the mistakes of a previous administration or President that are under scrutiny.

Ramaphosa's case is unusual as it is neither one nor the other. The Commission's terms of reference are focused clearly on events that took place while Ramaphosa's immediate predecessor ,Jacob Zuma, was President , between 2009 and 2018. Ramaphosa was elected president in February 2018.

Winnie Mandela: Heroine Or Villain?

By Tayo Ogunbiyi

It is no longer news that Winnie Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid crusader and former wife of the First Black President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, has died at age 81. According to a family source, she passed away after a protracted illness. Her death, no doubt, symbolizes the end of an ear for South Africa in the history of struggles for political emancipation in South Africa. In the tempestuous years of apartheid rule in the Rainbow country, she was a thorn in the flesh of the white supremacists and a rallying point for the unconditional release of her then incarcerated husband. Without a doubt, Winnie was one of the leading figures in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. She was dubbed the “Mother of the Nation” while numerous musicians and writers across the world, who celebrated Nelson Mandela in their works, also accorded her eminence consideration.

*Nelson and Winnie Mandela 

The departed enigma was married to Nelson Mandela for 38 years, including the 27 years the iconic South Africa former President was imprisoned in Robin Island, near Cape Town. She kept the memory of her imprisoned husband alive during his years on Robben Island and helped give the struggle for justice in South Africa a universal image. Up till the time she breathed her last, she was a leading member of South Africa’s frontline political party, the ruling African National Congress, ANC. At the time of her death, she was a member of the country’s parliament.  In 1993, she was elected president of the ANC’s Women’s League. In 1994, she was elected to parliament and became Deputy Minister of Arts, Science and Technology in the country’s first multi-racial government. 

Winnie Mandela Dies At 81

Mrs. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, a veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle and wife of the late former South African president, Mr. Nelson Mandela, is dead. She was 81.  

Her PA‚ Zodwa Zwane‚ confirmed the ant- apartheid struggle veteran’s death on Monday afternoon. She said the family would issue a statement later in the day.

Born in Bizana in the Eastern Cape in 1936‚ Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela-Mandela moved to Johannesburg to study social work after matriculating.

She met lawyer and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela in 1957 and they were married a year later.

Dark Cloud Over South Africa

By Charles Onunaiju

Following the desperate push to get him out of office and the eventual capitulation of former President Jacob Zuma to the intense pressure by his own party to quit, dark clouds hanging over the country since the December elective national conference of the ruling party, which narrowly produced Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa as the leader of the party has not and will not be clearing soon. 

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
and former President Jacob Zuma

Mr. Ramaphosa, former labour organiser, ANC top stalwart turned tycoon and now President of the Republic of South Africa has promised a new dawn, not only for his country but for Africa. Given that inaugural speeches in Africa by newly triumphant helmsmen are replete with such boisterous and optimistic rhetoric, it will be more reasonable to wait and see the magic wand that Mr. Ramaphosa wants to wield.

ANC Being Destroyed By In-fighting, Division – Zuma

Negative tendencies such as the bulk buying of membership and gate keeping were costing the party votes, party presidentJacob Zuma said on Friday.

Delivering his political report to the national general council (NGC), Zuma also warned against ill-discipline, hooliganism and violence taking place in the party.

“There is a lot of work that must still be done to rid the movement of certain tendencies which may undermine the gains we have made."

He said this was "even more important" as the party needed "an effective African National Congress [ANC]" to prepare for the elections.

"We have continuously received an overwhelming number of votes in the national general elections; thank the millions of people who voted for the ANC in the last elections and acknowledge the hard work of all the tiers and structures during that period.

“It was a difficult election. While celebrating the 2014 election victory, we realised some of our traditional voters have in recent year become dissatisfied and some have chosen to abstain from the elections, demonstrating their displeasures, but are still remaining loyal to the movement.”

Zuma said South Africa’s loyalty to the party should not be taken for granted.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE 

The Obituary Walter Sisulu Wrote For Nelson Mandela

Towards the end of his own life, Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela's fellow freedom fighter and friend, wrote this very moving obituary for Mandela. Although, Sisulu died before it could be published, it is, no doubt, a great tribute to Mandela's life and struggles...

  -------------------------------------------------

"Thank You For Your Life, My Friend"

By Walter Sisulu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nelson Mandela And Walter Sisulu In 1990

 

As he rests in his eternal sleep, I am certain of one thing: that Madiba's face is enveloped in a gentle, enduring smile. No, not the broad, beaming smile we are accustomed to. Not the one so full of warmth that one felt bathed in sunshine. Rather, the quiet smile, reflective, born out of looking over his life and times; a smile tinged with a hint of mischievousness for having beaten the odds, cheated the hangman and knowing he had helped make South Africa and the world a better place. Overarching his life of struggle, hardship, humiliation, pain and suffering there must be the sense of fulfilment that he has left an indelible footprint in the service of humankind.

His is a life that touched millions not only in South Africa, not only in our continent of Africa, but throughout the world. For the greater part of his life he was a beacon of the struggle.
In his later years he became the symbol of hope. In death he stands confirmed as the embodiment of humanity's hope for the future.