HON. BRUCE GOLDING, MP PRIME MINISTER FOR NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY

MESSAGE FROM

HON. BRUCE GOLDING, MP

 PRIME MINISTER

FOR

NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY

JULY 18, 2010

Today, Jamaica joins the international community in commemorating July 18 as the first Nelson Mandela International Day.

The United Nations, in designating this day as Nelson Mandela International Day, recognized Nelson Mandela's values and his dedication to the service of humanity in the fields of conflict resolution, race relations, promotion and protection of human rights, reconciliation, gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups, as well as the upliftment of poor and underdeveloped communities.

Jamaica vividly recalls Mr. Mandela's awe-inspiring leadership in the long struggle for Africa's liberation and his contribution to the creation of a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic South Africa.

Even before political independence, Jamaica was a strong opponent of the Apartheid regime that Mandela fought so hard to end. We were the first country to place a trade embargo on the racially segregated South Africa, and were at the helm in convincing more developed nations to follow in that same vein so that the Apartheid regime would be hurt economically. Additionally, through its participation in the Commonwealth, Jamaica supported and promoted the elimination of Apartheid in sports, which eventually became international law. This helped to propel the cause at a time when Mandela was imprisoned by the Apartheid regime from 1962 to 1990, still unbroken and determined to achieve a South Africa with true freedom and rights for all.

In 1993 Mr. Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in eradicating Apartheid, orchestrating a peaceful transition and laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa. The global community welcomed his historic election and inauguration as the first President of a fully representative democratic South Africa. As Africa's elder statesman, he threw his weight behind efforts for peace, development and democratic stability in the troubled zones of that continent.

As President, he led the call for national unity across race and class divides and epitomized the philosophy of non-violent resolution of conflict. This was evident, for example, in his efforts to unite South Africans in support of the formerly segregated national rugby team when the country played host to the 1995 Rugby World Cup. South Africa eventually won the World Cup and he was fittingly commended for his role in this momentous step towards racial harmony. As an international icon, he also helped deliver to South Africa the prize of hosts of the highly successful 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Nelson Mandela's achievements can be seen as a model that we as Jamaicans can emulate. He remained steadfast in the pursuit of his vision for a united South Africa and emerged from his Robben Island prison as a man determined to direct his energies positively in the name of progress. Our society did not suffer the oppression of Apartheid, but the corrosive elements which threaten our society and achievement of sustainable development must be uprooted and discarded as was the Apartheid system. We must unite ourselves around the vision of the Jamaica of which we sing in our National Anthem and recite in our National Pledge.

Let us be inspired by the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela as we celebrate International Nelson Mandela Day, ever mindful of our obstacles but knowing that we can build a more cohesive society through national unity.

As Mandela said: "I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony with equal opportunities. "