Nelson Mandela: A legacy of peace and freedom - MPPRE

Nelson Mandela: A legacy of peace and freedom

In November 2019, the UN General Assembly declared July 18 Nelson Mandela International Day in recognition of the former president of South Africa’s «contribution to the culture of peace and freedom».

On the occasion of this celebration, which coincides with the South African leader’s birth, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered the 18th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture from New York.

In his lecture, titled «Tackling the Inequality Pandemic: A New Social Contract for a New Era,» the UN Secretary General took aim at the various layers of inequality that are being exposed and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, he outlined the threat posed to our well-being and our future by historic injustices and current trends, from colonialism and patriarchy to racism and the digital divide

The virtual event on Mandela Day will feature the Secretary-General in New York and additional speakers in South Africa, including Presiden Cyril Ramaphosa and Graça Machel, stateswoman, women’s and children’s rights advocate and wife of the late Nelson Mandela.

World symbol of the fight for freedom

Born on July 18, 1918, Nelson Mandela fought for equality and non-discrimination in South Africa, his native country. He became one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century and spent 27 years in prison for fighting against South Africa’s apartheid, a racial segregation system.

Even in jail, he would not stop fighting. In 1980, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution demanding his liberation. In 1990, he was released from prison and joined then President of South Africa Frederik de Klerk to take part in the negotiating tables to abolish the apartheid regime.

In 1994, the first multiracial democratic elections were held, with the African National Congress Party winning 63% of the votes, led to Nelson Mandela being elected as the first black president of the Republic of South Africa.

During his tenure (1994-1999), he worked to establish democracy in his country, laid the political, economic foundations of this nation and mediated in different conflicts in Africa.

The former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize Recipient died at the age of 95 in December 2013.