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adam
Joined: May 18, 2003
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Long Walk to Freedom
July 20, 2003 - 06:20 AM
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We as children of humanity,owe you !!!
Thanks for your great struggle and devotion..
Dear friends, today is the birthday of N. Mandela...let s try to understand him....
regards,
http://myhero.com/hero.asp?hero=nelsonMandela
"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
Imagine growing up in a country where drinking out of the wrong water fountain might get you thrown into jail; where a man might have the very same job as his neighbor, but because of the color of his skin get paid less in a year than the other man made in a week; where the government told you that your ancestors and their ways of living were wrong and savage and not even human. Sounds like some futuristic film, doesn't it? Well, for Nelson Mandela, this was no movie. Growing up in South Africa under the Apartheid system of government meant these things, and worse, were part of daily life.
But Nelson Mandela was a fighter. Instead of bowing down to this unjust system of government, he became a lifelong warrior in the battle to free South Africa. Starting out as a leader of an underground political movement called the African National Congress (ANC), Mr. Mandela played a part in many dramatic demonstrations against the white-ruled government.
His career in the ANC was cut short in 1964 when he was sentenced to life in prison. The notorious Rivonia Trial, as his sentencing was called, is now seen as nothing more than a cruel ploy used by the white South African government to silence Nelson Mandela once and for all. But even while in prison, Mr. Mandela continued to be a beacon of hope for his people who carried on the struggle against Apartheid in his absence.In 1990, after 27 years of imprisonment, Nelson Mandela was freed. His release marked the beginning of the end for Apartheid. In less than five years after his release, Mr. Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace prize and elected president of South Africa.
Today, thanks to the self-sacrifice of Nelson Mandela, Apartheid has been outlawed. Everyone in South Africa now has an equal opportunity at home and at work to live comfortable, productive lives. Nelson Mandela is one of the world's true freedom fighters, and his life and personal triumphs will be remembered long after the world has forgotten the evils of Apartheid.
"I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended."
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asdf
Joined: Apr 4, 2003
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Country: Israel
Province/State: Yerushalayim
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Re: Long Walk to Freedom
July 20, 2003 - 06:52 AM
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Nelson Mandela is incredible, one of the few people whose story and character is so impacting that it has, at certain times, stirred so much emotion in me.
If I ever get the opportunity, I would go out on the farthest limb possible to get the chance to meet with him even briefly. He is just one of the few incredible people our world is fortunate to have. I hope he continues to celebrate his birthdays for many years to come.
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Mosa
Joined: Jul 3, 2003
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Country: South Africa
Province/State: Gauteng
City: Johannesburg
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Re: Long Walk to Freedom
July 22, 2003 - 11:15 AM
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Rolihlahla Mandela is a political Messiah that saved South Africa from years of suffering and injustices. He has unselfishly given up his freedom and so many other things that we take for granted on a daily basis. His spirit will always be with us and the best we can do is learn from him and be willing to give unselfishly to make a diffence in the lives of those who are less fortunate.
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