Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in Transkei, South Africa, to a family of tribal chiefs. In 1944, he renounced his father's status as chief and joined the African National Congress of South Africa. Mandela spent 27 years in prison against apartheid in South Africa, where he was persecuted and tortured, but never changed his strong belief in fighting racism and building an equal and free new South Africa.
On 11 February 1990, the South African authorities, under strong pressure from domestic and foreign public opinion, were forced to announce Mandela's unconditional release. In 1993, Mandela and then-South African President De Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
In April 1994, the ANC won South Africa's first race-neutral general election, and Mandela became South Africa's first black president in May of that year. After stepping down in June 1999, Mandela continued to work tirelessly for world peace and human dignity, building schools and devoting a great deal of energy to the fight against AIDS in South Africa.
On 18 July 2008, Mandela celebrated his 90th birthday. For him, who had long since retired, South Africa and the whole world seemed unwilling to accept Mandela's retirement.
When Mbeki first became president, Financial Weekly editor Muboti described how he was welcomed, but now he writes: "Needless to say, their prince has turned into a frog." "Mandela united the country, but Mbeki divided it."
The gaps that Mandela had worked to bridge throughout his life were still striking, and in wealthy neighborhoods, whites owned mansions and blacks had to hoe grass and fertilize them. As one of the many reforms of the post-apartheid era, white and black children sat in the same classroom, and white parents were amazed at how harmonious their next generation lived together. But the difference can still be seen: white children's homes are stuffed with toys, while black children's homes have only one room.
South Africa is suffering the worst violent crime outside of war zones, especially in gauteng, near Johannesburg. The country has the highest number of people living with HIV in the world. Mbeki has come under fire from unions and leftists for the ANC's pro-business policies for failing to deliver on the promises of black regimes to benefit the poor. The unemployment rate hovers around 23 percent.
South Africa's economic growth is threatened by an electricity crisis, and inflation is likely to continue to rise. Mbeki has also been criticized for failing to mediate the Zimbabwe crisis. The country's worsening crisis has led millions of refugees to flock to neighbouring countries, especially South Africa. In May, these refugees were targeted by appalling xenophobic violence. The burning of foreigners is reminiscent of the many barbaric violence of the late apartheid period.
Whenever a crisis erupts, people expect to hear Mandela's voice. "I long for the return of this great leader," said composer Steven Miller, "what a strange nostalgia!" ”
"Mandela was a decisive figure during South Africa's transition, and the people of South Africa still share Mandela's values to this day." Kerton Bay also said.
But some analysts believe these fears are somewhat exaggerated. Stephen Friedman of Rhodes University said that while Mandela played a major role in mediating race relations, "he was not and is not a Messiah."
Analysts believe that although Mandela has established a new democracy, he does not seem to be focusing on solving economic problems that Mbeki has to solve. "Mbeki's greatest strength and weakness is that he is an overly trusting policy and not caring about the people. Mandela was obsessed with the people and ignored policy. Friedman said.
At a concert in London's Hyde Park 22 days ago, Mandela told the young people in the audience: "It is time to rely on the strength of the younger generation to clear the world of pain." ”
Mandela's love transcended the divide of country, race, gender and age, with snowflake birthday cards flying from around the world to the revered old man. A greeting card from the United States read: "I have the most admiration for two black people in my life: Martin Luther King Jr. and you. A greeting card from Israel reads: "You taught us: Throw hatred into the sea and let tolerance and racial reconciliation live forever." "According to local custom, Mandela's future resting place will be chosen in the place of birth: in the heart of the village of Gunu, there is a carefully enclosed land, a stone tablet inscribed with gilded letters: Mandela family cemetery, one day, Mandela will return here, back to his relatives...
Mandela led the struggle against the white policy of apartheid, and the white rulers imprisoned him on a desolate island for 27 years. However, when Mandela was released from prison and elected president, he invited the three former jailers who had guarded him to attend the inauguration ceremony and offered to invite the white leaders who had imprisoned him to join the cabinet. Mandela's broad-mindedness and magnanimity impressed the whole world, and one of his famous words: "When I walked out of the cell and walked through the prison door to freedom, I already knew that if I could not leave my grief and resentment behind, then I would still be in prison." ”
During the long underground struggle, Mandela was also terrified from time to time. "Of course I'm afraid, I can't pretend I'm brave and fearless enough to beat the whole world," he said. But, as a leader, he had to set an example, and on robben island where he was imprisoned, the prisoners often saw him walking through the courtyard with his head held high, which gave them great encouragement and encouragement, and Mandela also knew deeply that he was an example for others, and this gave him the strength to overcome his inner fears.
Even in prison, Mandela was in the global spotlight many times, and his appeal and influence spread around the world. In 1981, more than 10,000 French people jointly issued a petition to the South African Embassy in France demanding mandela's release; in 1982, 2,000 mayors from 53 countries around the world signed a petition for Mandela's release; in 1983, 78 British parliamentarians issued a joint statement, and more than 50 city mayors marched in London, demanding that the British prime minister put pressure on South Africa to restore Mandela's freedom, so he called Mandela "global president". As one of the most respected politicians in the world, he is the symbol of South Africa and an icon for countless people around the world.