Ambassador of South Africa to Qatar, Faizel Moosa
The Ambassador of South Africa to Qatar, H E Faizel Moosa has highlighted the selflessness of Nelson Mandela as the world marked Mandela Day yesterday.
In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared July 18, Mandela’s birthday, as “Nelson Mandela International Day” to recognise the former South African president’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom.
In a statement yesterday, the South African envoy said, “The world needs many Mandelas in this challenging phase that it finds itself in.”
Mandela, affectionately known as ‘Madiba,’ became the first black president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Before that, Mandela spent 27 years in prison and dedicated 67 years of his life to the service of humanity and against the repressive Apartheid state.
“Because Madiba had dedicated 67 years of his life in the service of humanity in the promotion of peace, equality, justice, gender equity, and human rights, South Africans are encouraged to do 67 minutes of service to their communities in which they find themselves. Today in South Africa, people are out to dedicate at least 67 minutes of their time in service of the nation,” Moosa said.
“There is a saying, “if everyone helps his neighbour, then who would need help?”
“It is this ethos that brings South Africans together with a sense of African 'Ubuntu', and we play our part for a better South Africa, Africa, and a better world,” he added.
Meanwhile, in a message, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Nelson Mandela International Day is an opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of “a legendary global advocate for dignity, equality, justice, and human rights”. “Each year, on this day, Nelson Mandela’s birthday, we pay tribute to this extraordinary man who embodied the highest aspirations of the United Nations and the human family,” Guterres noted in a video message.
In light of the current health crisis, the UN chief also noted that the world needs to embody the virtues Mandela fought for as governments and businesses navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As always in times of crises, it is the marginalised and discriminated against who suffer the most, often while being blamed for problems they did not cause. Let us be inspired by Madiba’s message that each of us can make a difference in promoting peace, human rights, harmony with nature, and dignity for all,” Guterres added.
