July 3, 2008 — vol. 43, no 47
S. African parliament marks Mandela's 90th birthday
Judy Chalmers, labeled a traitor as a white supporter of the banned African National Congress (ANC), baked a huge cake for Mandela’s 70th birthday. And though Mandela was in prison, she held a party for him in her office.
A few days later, the office was set alight. But Chalmers said she never lost hope.
“We knew that sooner rather than later the sun would rise on a South Africa where those heroes would walk the streets of the country in their rightful place as free men and women,” she said. “Each and every one of us owes him an enormous debt of gratitude.”
Leon — the former leader of the white dominated Democratic Alliance, which incorporates the now defunct National Party responsible for apartheid — said Mandela combined compassion with humor.
In 1998, Leon was about to undergo quadruple bypass surgery. A few weeks earlier, in Parliament, Mandela called the opposition “Mickey Mouse parties.” Leon retorted that Mandela “must head a Goofy government.”
“On the eve of the operation, I awaited my fate with some anxiety,” Leon said. “And there was a knock on the hospital door. The world famous voice announced, ‘Is that Mickey Mouse in there? It’s Goofy here. Can I come in and see you?’
“I have no doubt that his particular visit hastened my very speedy recovery.”
Also last week, legislation to remove Mandela from the U.S. terror watch list passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives, moving on to the president’s desk for signature. The bill grants the secretary of state, in consultation with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, the authority to waive U.S. travel restrictions on Mandela and other members of the ANC.
“In recognition of his 90th birthday this summer, Nelson Mandela is again honored as one of the world’s strongest voices for human dignity and courage in the face of oppression,” said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., in a statement. “Today the United States moved closer at last to removing the great shame of dishonoring this great leader by including him on our government’s terror watch list.”
(Associated Press)
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| Jul 2 14:02pm by Kenyatta- boston stand up! [141.154.255.165] | |
I want to say that Nelson Mandela is the epitomy of hope and resilience for all of the world, especially Black America. With all that he has endured he is the strongest beacon of hope that has relentlessly and remarkably stood for the Black people of the world. I can remember going with my mother to Madison Park High School to watch him stand on the back steps of the school and address the yearning audience. I had to be around 8 or 9 years old, and here I am today at 25 living behind the very location where his words graced my youthful ears and ignited this flame and passion for Human Rights and equality among the poor. I stand here today as a mere daughter of many powerful men from African descent and say that any person who has ever felt down on their luck and worn out, think of Mr. Mandela and the 27 YEARS he endured behind bars. Think of this man when you say "Im too tired" or "Why keep on going", think of him at 25, at 35, at 55 and now at 90 and his spirit and passion that has kept him going on; then look in the mirror and say "I have no other choice but to continue going on and I will not give up the fight." Come on Boston lets show Mandela what we are made of and that his work has meant and means so much to us, lets live his legacy and keep on keeping on. Peace comrades, Kenyatta S. |
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