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Nelson Mandela
“I told the white audience that we needed them and did not want them to leave the country. They were South Africans just like ourselves, and this was their land, too. I would not mince words about the horrors of apartheid, but I said, over and over, that we should forget the past and concentrate on building a better future for all.”
If one of our politicians had uttered the above quote we could be mistaken for assuming it was propaganda. But, make no mistake, these touching and meaningful words are from Nelson Mandela, as written in his autobiography Long Walk To Freedom.
On Sunday the “living saint” will celebrate his 92nd birthday. For the first time the world will commemorate Nelson Mandela International Day following last year’s United Nations’ resolution in recognition of the former South African president’s extraordinary commitment to promoting conflict resolution, race relations, human rights, reconciliation and gender equality.
It is very rare that a person receives such a huge honor from the international community and from hundreds of millions of people living on this planet, while they are still alive. And there are very few people (if any) who would disagree with this UN resolution. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described Mandela as “a living embodiment of the highest values of the United Nations”.
For Indonesia, no doubt Mandela is our most important cultural promoter, because in his daily life it is very easy to see him wearing batik. His fondness of batik apparently began when he visited Jakarta in October 1990 as the vice president of the African National Congress (ANC). At that time, former president Soeharto presented him with US$10 million (in cash) at the request of Mandela himself, to help black Africans fight to abolish the apartheid system.
“Mandela’s love for Indonesian traditions is beyond comparison. The South African leader consistently dons batik shirts in his daily activities at home and while abroad, indirectly promoting one of Indonesia’s most famous cultural products,” The Jakarta Post wrote on its editorial when Mandela came to Jakarta as the president of South Africa in 1997.
Perhaps not many Indonesians realize Mandela also played a crucial role in helping the people of East Timor be allowed by Indonesia to determine their future as a free nation.
He succeeded in convincing then president Soeharto to let him meet with jailed East Timorese independence fighter Xanana Gusmao at the State Guest House in Jakarta in July 1997. And without international publicity he continued to persuade Soeharto to soften his stance on the Indonesian colony. Mandela helped the realization of the 1999 referendum in East Timor.
On Sunday, the whole world commemorates Mandela Day. Much praise has been heaped on the South African leader, as all nations wish to be inspired by him. He is the father of all of us, and on Sunday we can prove our love for Mandela by following his commitment to humanity. Little positive things will mean much for the peace and prosperity of this globe when all of us are ready to practice such good deeds, together.
Source: The Jakarta Post
