ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review

Nelson Mandela –An Apostle of Peace

Dr. Bishnupriya Padhi

Introduction Nelson Mandela’s quest for freedom took him from the court of tribal royalty to the liberation underground to a prison rock quarry to the presidential suite of Africa’s richest country. Mandela changed South Africa and the World. He became the father of a nation, an international icon, and a legend. He was a humble man who turned obstacles into stepping stones, who overcame and persevered. He never gave up, saw what was possible and went for it. He showed us how to rise above struggles around us and achieve our dreams. Mandela and peace are synonymous. In 1993, Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace I. Struggle to end apartheid in South Africa Prize. He spent his life fighting for equal Abolition of apartheid remains the biggest opportunity, education and political rights. legacy of Nelson Mandela. Mandela had decided Mandela negotiated subtly between his two selves: to become a lawyer and, in fact, he founded South the leader and the legend. Africa’s first black law firm with Oliver Tambo. A Mandela is the only individual to have an chance meeting with Walter Sisulu-a black estate international day named after him. In November agent who had an office in the city centre in the 2009, the UN General Assembly declared 18th days before Johannesburg became strictly July as Nelson Mandela International Day’, in segregated-shaped his destiny. Sisulu, his senior, recognition of the former South African President’s mentored Mandela. With Sisulu as his guide contribution to the culture of peace and freedom Mandela was quickly drawn into the sphere of around the World 1. the ANC, the decades old organisation fighting

32 August - 2016 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 for greater rights for South Africa’s black goodness in using an ineffective weapon”. He was population. convinced that their peaceful rallies were no match Mandela joined the African National for the government’s aggression. Arrests, trials and Congress (ANC) in 1944, when he helped set bans-preventing him from leaving his home or up its Youth League as a crucible for the party’s meeting with more than one person at a time- firebrands. The white supremacist National Party became Mandela’s life. won election in South Africa in 1948 and In 1961, after years of arguing for an end institutionalized a racist Constitution in a set of to non-violence, the ANC authorized Mandela laws known as apartheid (apartness or to set up a military wing called Umkhonto we segregation). Blacks were banned from the better Sizwe (MK)-meaning Spear of the Nation. neighbourhoods, better jobs, better farmland and Mandela was secretly appointed commander of better schools. Most were banished to the wing. In his 15 short months heading MK, undeveloped areas in the country’s interior, the legend of Mandela grew. His career as a designated black homelands. If they were allowed guerrilla commander ended abruptly in 1962 on into white areas, it was under strict conditions- August 5th. He was arrested at Pietermaritzburg pass laws-that prescribed when, where, who, how and charged with inciting strikes and leaving South and why 2. Africa illegally. Mandela received a sentence of 5 African militancy started as the years. government tightened its control over the black Police raided a farm in Johannesburg population. Mandela together with comrades suburb in the summer of 1963 and found new Tambo, Sisulu and Ahmed Kathrada and joined evidence related to MK’s activities. Mandela and by the Indian Congress, and Women’s groups; nine others were charged with sabotage and spent much of the decade in non-violent protests. conspiracy. And Mandela faced death with The regime did not share the sentiment and hanging. In the Rivonia Trial, Mandela spoke in responded with violence, shooting dead 18 the court room: ‘It is an ideal for which I am demonstrators in 1950. On March 21, 1960, prepared to die’. This somersaulted him and the thousands of blacks had gathered in the township ANC and the need to bring apartheid into the of Sharpeville to peacefully protest the laws that global consciousness. During the Rivonia Trial, restricted movement of black people. Police he had been elected honorary president of the opened fire and killed 69 protestors. Pretoria students’ union at University College of London; declared a state of emergency banning ANC and dock workers around the world threatened not its leadership. Thousands were mass arrested 3. to handle South African goods; and the UN, Mandela went underground. After the members of the US Congress and the leader of Sharpeville incident he began to favour fighting the Soviet Union all protested the trial. In the end, fire with fire. He was already straining to stay loyal Mandela and his co-accused were convicted, but to the ANC’s Gandhian principle of non-violence. spared the death penalty, due to intense “For me, non-violence was not a moral principle international attention. They were sentenced to but a strategy”, he wrote, “There is no moral life imprisonment on Robben Island.

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The decision in 1976 that school be to use it to....begin discussions with the taught half-time in Afrikaans proved to be the government....I chose to tell no one what I was breaking point. Students launched a series of about to do. There are times when a leader must protests in Soweto. The authorities reacted with move out ahead of the flock.” The strength of his deadly force. On June 16, 29 were killed and personality was so overpowering that he could most of them were children. Protests spread argue for a path of reconciliation. Contact with quickly, engulfing the whole country. Resistance the government began. In 1985, Mandela met to white rule grew. By then, sanctions and boycotts South Africa’s Justice Minister Kobie Coetsee. had begun to take their toll on South Africa. He had a series of meetings. And once talks were International banks were calling in their loans, underway, the conditions of Mandela’s causing loss to the rand by bringing it down. South imprisonment improved further. Most of his ANC Africa was bleeding/ pressure was mounting to comrades were opposed to Mandela’s free the prisoner who had become a global icon4. negotiations. But he had a disarming effect on Meanwhile, serving a sentence in Robben them. On July 5, 1989 Mandela was taken to Island meant almost total isolation from the outside meet Botha. Little of substance was discussed. world. Partly as a survival strategy, Mandela and F.W.de Klerk replaced Botha as his comrades continued their fight inside jail. President a month later. The new president was Through protests and petitions, Mandela and his pressurised, both at home and abroad, to bring comrades gradually improved conditions. While change. His first radical step came on October his oppositions to apartheid remained fierce, he 15, 1989 when he freed Sisulu, Kathrada and began to see the humanity in his enemies. “All four other political prisoners after 25 years of men, even the most seemingly cold blooded, have imprisonment. Mandela had negotiated their a core of decency,” he wrote. “If their hearts are release while in prison. He was like the captain of touched, they are capable of changing”5. a ship. He wanted to see them safely outside 6 And if Mandela was changing, the outside before he himself left . world was too. He embraced forgiveness and On February 2, 1990, the President in a reconciliation. He had morality but no mantras; remarkable speech to Parliament announced he he suited his tactics to his times. In 1985, President was freeing Mandela, lifting the ban on ANC and Botha publicly offered Mandela his freedom if he negotiating a new constitution for South Africa. 9 renounced violence. Mandela’s response was: “I days later, on February 11, 1990, Mandela am not a violent man... when all other forms of walked free after 27 years in prison. In June 1990, resistance were no longer open to us, we turned the ANC suspended its armed struggle. to armed struggle. Let Botha renounce violence. Mandela’s long march wasn’t over yet. Let him say he will dismantle apartheid...your With his release violence should have come to an freedom and mine cannot be separated. I will end but it was on the rise. White security forces return.” shot black protestors and the demonstrators That same year Mandela was separated fought back. Police were secretly funding the from his comrades in prison. Mandela wrote: “My Zulu-derailing the transition to democracy. In June solitude gave me a certain liberty, and I resolved 1992, when an Inkatha mob killed 46 residents

34 August - 2016 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 of a pro-ANC township, Mandela suspended experience the oppression of one by another, and talks with the government. suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the Mandela started travelling the world, World.” meeting with heads of states and dignitaries, As President, Mandela saw that the pleading with them to keep sanctions in place, to Constitution was rewritten and a constitutional pressurize the South African government to push court was created to abolish death penalty. A Truth forward with democratic reforms. and Reconciliation Commission was established to address issues relating to the misdeeds of the Chris Hani, the most popular ANC leader apartheid regime. Instead of allowing them to after Mandela, was assassinated on 10 April fester or exploiting them for political advantage 1993. Mandela appealed to his followers to as many others have done in comparable remain calm and forgo reprisals, - ‘acts that serve circumstances South Africa has taken steps to only the interests of the assassin’s.’ Mandela’s expose and exercise the darker and less palatable supporters headed the call, but the emotional realities of its immediate past. Archbishop Tutu response was unlike anything South Africa had was asked to head the commission, South Africa’s seen. Mandela took control of the crisis, halted bold experiment in atonement. Amnesty was its the bloodbath and now commanded the nation. centrepiece, guaranteed to those whose crimes By inviting the leaders of the far-right into his home were politically motivated, and who confessed all for frank negotiations, Mandela convinced them they knew 7. to put down their arms. Forever, he will be remembered for his Mandela demanded an election date. magnanimity, integrity and unbreakable strength Both (de Klerk, and Mandela) reached an as he walked the long and tumultuous road to lift agreement on a new Constitution, an interim South Africa from the darkness of apartheid and government of national unity and a general election give it a new future and a new beginning. to be held on April 27, 1994, almost one year to the date of Hani’s murder. The election campaign II. Mandela’s ideas on Peace and Peaceful saw more bloodshed but also more reconciliation. Methods On a day Tutu described as “like falling Mandela’s stubborn and steely resolve to in love”- Mandela, then 75, cast the first vote of stick to his goal of a peaceful political settlement his life. On May 10, 1994, he was inaugurated as in South Africa sets him apart from other leaders. South Africa’s first democratic President. His His absolute determination to keep moving speech delivered to the nation came to a close forward on a peaceful path, in the face of with these words; “We enter into a covenant that intolerable provocations, rather than resort to we shall build a society in which all South Africans, revenge or violence was unheard of at that time. black and white will be able to walk tall without Mandela’s genius and unique gift was to any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable liberate his people, without any trace of bitterness right to human dignity-a rainbow nation at peace in his soul despite years of imprisonment. His with itself and the world. Never, never and never leading role in seeking a peaceful and negotiated again shall it be that this beautiful land will constitutional settlement prevented the country

August - 2016 35 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review slipping into civil war. He knew that to guarantee commitment of Nelson Mandela to the cause of peace and justice, the new South Africa needed justice, peace and reconciliation. In September to show magnanimity and tolerance even to those 1998, Sri Chinmoy met Mandela and his wife who had oppressed the country for so long 8. Graca Machel in New York. The three of them Mandela understood that peace and held aloft the Peace Torch from the worldwide justice are not abstract philosophical concepts that Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, which can be realised simply by presidential decree. has inspired countless young people to participate 10 They are totally linked to social justice, dignity in the global relay run for peace . and rights in labour and a responsive distribution Mandela provided us a model of of natural resources. Mandela spent his life fighting leadership for a culture of peace. Today, for equal opportunity (‘I have cherished the ideal according to Mandela “peace activists can do of a democratic and free society in which all more than just be against the war system, but they persons live together in harmony and with equal can at the same time act to bring a universal vision, opportunities’), education (‘Education is the most closer to reality. In opposing the culture of war, powerful weapon we can use to change the today’s activist can help construct a culture of world’), and political rights for all. peace.” For the broader world community, Mandela used a negotiated approach to “Mandela’s Decade” will be remembered as one succeed over the apartheid army. His philosophy where morality was brought back into politics. indicates that the idea of reconciling with your As the world’s most adored ‘home-maker’ he enemy is a necessary precondition for achieving raised the moral stakes of peace everywhere. The the goal of peace and gradually justice. People genesis of his magic was that he outclassed them saw in him all that they expected from their leaders all and won them over, leading South Africa with and also that he did not disappoint people when a spirit of forgiveness, striving towards an ideal he was released from jail. He eschewed bitterness of a retribution-free nation, a country of truth and and invoked forgiveness and reconciliation 9. reconciliation. It was both a process of confession and a dramatic staging of reconciliation that would Peace, like freedom, like democracy, in release forgiveness, toleration and reconstruction. Mandela’s clear-sighted and dignified vision, is a It was to be the grand, sorrowful performance positive attribute: the conditions for its full and ritual of a society re-making itself 11. enjoyment must be established before it is possible. On 29 January 1996, Sri Chinmoy The Truth and Reconciliation Commission presented the U Thant Peace Award-a special headed by his ally Archbishop Desmond Tutu, award from ‘Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Medications the First Chair of the, Elders, was a bold attempt at the United Nations.’ Sri Chinmoy said the to confront South Africa’s bloody past, award was on Nelson Mandela’s unique acknowledge the crimes committed in the name contribution in promoting forgiveness and of apartheid, secure some redress for its victims reconciliation in post apartheid South Africa. but also to turn the country’s focus to the future. There was a public court for ‘restorative justice’ Sri Chinmoy very often offered his in which both victims of the grossest human rights appreciation and gratitude for the sacrifice and violations and their oppressors could testify.

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Begun in 1996 with Tutu as chairman, it TRC prevented the kind of bloodbath that continued its public hearings for two years; in destroyed Zimbabwe and Angola. But those years 1998 it published its voluminous report. This of the TRC, whatever its shortcomings offered a formed the basis of a peaceful transition to a post- crucible for the retrieval of memory and the apartheid society that was to be remarkably free incubation of a morality of restorative justice to a of vengeful violence. The TRC was probably the world drenched in ideas of revenge.14 most dramatic return to Africa’s ancient traditions After retirement Mandela continued to of restorative justice. But more than that, given meet global figures, hosting magnificent the context of the scale of crimes, the TRC personalities like US President Bill Clinton and hearings bear testimony to a terrifying epic, the Dalai Lama. He continued to be the face of impossible to imagine. Tutu summed up the ethical numerous fights, including the battle against AIDS, basis of the TRC when he said the mandate of which claimed the life of one of his sons. In his the commission was to listen to everyone, and last years increasingly frail though he was Mandela that everyone would have a chance to speak the 12 became one of the world’s most important and truth as he or she saw it. effective campaigners of AIDS. He became a When the question was put to Mandela central figure in the African and global AIDS in an interview in 2007 that after such barbarous movement. He was instrumental in laying the torment, how do you keep hatred in check? His foundations of the modern AIDS response and answer was dismissive: Hating clouds the mind. his influence helped save millions of lives and It gets in the way of strategy. Leaders cannot transformed health in Africa. As a statesman he afford to hate. Except for a youthful flirtation with had AIDS at the top of his agenda and he used black nationalism, he seemed to have transcended his stature and presence on the global stage to the racial passion that tore his country. Some who persuade world leaders to act decisively on AIDS. worked with him said this magnanimity came Mandela recognised that AIDS was a easily to him because he regarded himself as growing problem and increased funding to fight it superior to his persecutors. His capacity for while he was President of South Africa since South forgiveness is what made him the absolutely critical Africa was the worst affected country on the figure, first during secret negotiations in the late planet with HIV prevalence rate among 15 to 49 1980s from prison with the Afrikaner Nationalist year olds of 24.5% and was rising fast. Mandela’s 13 Government and then after his release. most significant contribution to fight AIDS was III. Mandela’s fight for World Peace his intervention at the International AIDS Mandela was the last of the giants who conference in Durban in July 2000. The speech led the world’s struggle against colonialism. He marked the beginning of Mandela’s total not only changed the political landscape of his commitment to the battle against AIDS. He home country, but also helped shape the physical continued to avoid confrontation with the 15 landscape of places as far away as India, Brazil government but used his influence in subtle ways. and Senegal. The world has a lot to learn from Mandela began to speak out against the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South AIDS in 2003. Government also announced that Africa. It offered a completely new approach. year that it would introduce free HIV treatment

August - 2016 37 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review at state facilities. Mandela refused to fuel the Mandela has been one of the most important epidemic with ignorance and empowered political voices on AIDS in South Africa and in the world. leaders to lay the groundwork for the modern He has used his reputation and his energy stress AIDS response. He worked on three different how fundamental this is to the future our country charities that benefitted people with HIV through and the developing world generally.” 18 fundraising and providing access to anti-retroviral Mandela helped launch the Kick Polio treatments: (1) The Nelson Mandela Children’s Out of Africa Campaign in 1997 with Rotary Fund assisted children and their families who were President Luis Giay and Rotary Foundation Chair affected by HIV; (2) The Nelson Mandela Rajendra Saboo. Immediately, Africa’s polio Foundation funds research and public anti- eradication effort started to work. The campaign retroviral programs; (3) 46664, a philanthropic raised public awareness of polio by using soccer organisation that raised money through private matches and celebrity endorsements. This helped donations, concepts and product endorsements. spur more than 30 African countries to hold their Mandela created the 46664 charity, named for Rotary Award for World Understanding to his old prison number 466 and 1964, the year he Mandela in 1997, in recognition of his vital works. was jailed.16 Mandela when questioned said in an The 46664 charity raised awareness and interview: “The US has made serious mistakes in funds through huge international concerts. Some the conduct of its foreign affairs. Unqualified of the world’s most famous artists and bands support of the Shah of Iran led directly to the performed free. Mandela appeared at these Islamic revolution of 1979. Then the US choose events, such as the 46664 concert played in Cape to arm and finance the Islamic Mujahidin in Town, the first in a series of anti-AIDS concerts. Afghanistan instead of supporting and encouraging His presence at these concerts was moving with the moderate wing of the government of thousands of people attending the events and Afghanistan. But the most catastrophic action of funds raised to increase AIDS awareness. the US was to sabotage the decision that was The Nelson Mandela Foundation, now painstakingly stitched together by the UN the Nelson Mandela Centre for Memory, has regarding the withdrawal of the Soviet Union from educated and brought together people to combat Afghanistan. These matters draw the conclusion HIV and AIDS. Efforts like these have inspired that the attitude of the US is a threat to world the work of the Global Fight Against AIDS which peace. That must be condemned in the strongest mobilize governments, advocates and terms”19. communities to join together to stop the spread of HIV and to help those with the virus to live Regarding the Bush administration’s long productive lives.17 fraudulent ‘case’ about Saddam Hussain’s non- existent weapons of mass destruction, Mandela Mandela and Clinton were co-chairs of said that there was “no evidence whatsoever of the advisory board of the International AIDS trust. development of weapons of mass destruction. Mark Heywood, of the Treatment Action Neither Bush nor Tony Blair has provided any Campaign in South Africa said: “I think Nelson evidence that such weapons exist.”

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Bush White House was concerned about in it. Mandela’s idea for the award was that it Mandela’s criticisms for he was one of the few should place on a pedestal the efforts of individuals voices of unquestioned moral stature that the US who make extraordinary contributions to couldn’t manage to silence during the run-up to improving the health and health care of the most America’s illegal invasion of Iraq.20 Nelson disadvantaged sectors of the population in South Mandela, a prominent voice joined the Africa internationally. 21 international chorus of protest against US Mandela showed us that social justice is preparations for war against Iraq. He delivered a a long and arduous journey, but with faith, strong speech denouncing the US and personal perseverance and resolve – even in the darkest criticism at President Bush. ‘What I am of moments-change for a better world can condemning is that one power with a president happen. His life will remain an inspiration and a who has no foresight, who cannot think properly, call to action to us and all those who believe in is now wanting to plunge the world into a the dignity of each and every person. President holocaust. He has publicly and repeatedly Mandela was a true transformative force in the opposed the prospect of an American-led war history of South Africa and the world. He chose against Iraq. reconciliation over retaliation and changed the Mandela one of the most recognisable course of history. th human rights symbols of the 20 century is a man Mandela represented the purest form of whose dedication to the liberties of his people grace, humanity, strength and forgiveness. He was inspires human rights advocates throughout the love and this was his greatest gift to the world. world. After his retirement Mandela went on to With dignity he survived the worst scenarios that become an advocate for a variety of social and human experience offered. His 27 years of human rights organisations. He has expressed his incubation in prison created a limitless capacity support for the international Make Poverty for compassion, moral certainty and love which History movement of which the ONE campaign he gave to the world. His voice and wisdom will is a part. He attacked America for its record on ring throughout the rest of recorded history.22 human rights and for dropping atomic bombs on Japan World War II. ‘If there is a country that Mandela used a negotiated approach to has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, succeed over the apartheid army. His philosophy indicates that the idea of reconciling with your it is the US. They don’t care’. enemy is a necessary precondition for achieving The Nelson Mandela Award for Health the goal of peace and gradually justice. As super and Human Rights was instituted in March 1992 powers run out of money to drive their war by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. The machines, and people begin to say, “We are tired Award is named for President Mandela in honour of wars and of our soldiers dying in Africa and of his universal standing as a symbol of struggle the Middle East” the world will begin to look more for equity and democracy in South Africa and in closely at Nelson Mandela’s philosophy is not yet appreciation of his personal interest in the work a doctrine, practical and global realities are bound of the Foundation. Mandela gave his name to the to make it become a global phenomenon and award and has maintained a close personal interest doctrine.23

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References : 12. The Hindu-Business Line, December 12, 2013 1. http://nelsonmandelas.com/nelson-mandela- 13. Times of India, 7 December 2013 and The peace Statesman, 7 December 2013 2. Alex Perry: ‘Protestor’, Time, Commemorative 14. The Hindu, Business Line, December 12, 2003 Issue, December 19, 2013, p.30. 15. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/06/ 3. Op.cit. nelson-mandela-aids-south-africa 4. http://www.macleans.ca/politics/nelson-mandela- 16. http://www.thebody.com/content/73431/three- conquered-apartheid-united-his-country-and- ways-nelson-mandela-fought-aids.html inspired-the-world. 17. www.forbes.com/sites/skollworldforum/2013/09/ 5. Time, December 19, 2013. 23/nelson-mandela-a-living-legend-in-the-fight- against 6. www.macleans.ca/politics/nelson-mandela- conquered-apartheid-united-his-country-and- 18. Sarah Boseley: “Nelson Mandela changed the inspired-the-world. AIDS agenda in South Africa”, The Guardian, 6 Dec. 2013 7. http://www.macleans.ca/politics/neslon-mandela- conquered-apartheid-united-his-country-and- 19. http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/NM091002 inspired-the-world. 20. http://goingtotechran.com/nelson-mandela-iran- 8. www.virgin.com/virgin-unite/leadership-and- and-the-critique-of-american-hegemony advocacy/peace-justice-and-nelson-mandelas- 21. http://kff.org/the-nelson-mandela-award-for- example and, www.peacedirect.org/nelson- health-and-human-rights mandelas-choice-of-a-peaceful-path 22. http://www.cleveland.com/morris/index.ssf/2013/ 9. http://conflictperspectives.untd.org/index.php/ 12/nelson-mandela-changed-the-war.htm regions/americas-98-i-am-because-you-are- nelson-mandela-s-contribution. 23. http://conflictperspectives.imtd.org/index.php/ regions/americas/98-i-am-because-you-are- 10. http://www.srichinmoy.org/meetings-president- nelson-mandelas-contribution nelson-mandela 11. Aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/201307/Mandela- lagacy-201371717017499138.htm and, http:// decade-culture-of-peace.org/blog/?p=171 and, Dr. Bishnupriya Padhi, freelance Researcher, The statesman, 7 December 2013 Bhubaneswar.

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