• Opinion by Inaki Borda (united nations)
• Wednesday, July 20, 2011
• Inter Press Service

The United Nations Monday commemorated the second annual Nelson Mandela International day, a day marking not only the birthdate of the former South African president, but also to recognize his work as a freedom fighter and peacemaker.

In pursuit of that goal, the United Nations joined the Mandela Foundation to call on people around the world to devote 67 minutes to a community service activity, a campaign known as 'Take action. Inspire change!'

People around the world gathered to recognize the achievements of this 93 year-old-political and moral leader who still serves as a great example of democracy and equity.

'Everybody remembers and indeed needs an inspiration figure who has played a signal role in their lives. Nelson Mandela has been that for countless people around the world. He has been a lawyer and a freedom fighter, a political prisoner, a peace maker and a president.

A healer of nations and a mentor to generations. Nelson Mandela, or Madiba, as he is affectionately known by millions, is a living symbol of wisdom, courage and integrity,' said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

In New York, UN staff and delegates gathered in Central Park to paint benches and rails as a community service activity.

The event counted with the presence of the Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa, Doctor Mashabane, followed by Jennifer Davis, former director of the anti-apartheid American Committee on Africa from 1981 to 2000.

Mashabane considered Mandela as a figure who contributed positively towards the development of the world.

'Through our own contributions, no matter how small, we believe we can make a huge difference in terms of making sure that it leads to a positive development,' Mashabane said.

Davis, also a fighter for the anti-apartheid cause, gave a personal and close description of Mandela's personal and professional lives.

'He is a person that symbolizes the courage to stand up and challenge a system. And he didn't do it by himself. He was always very clear that he was part of an organization. He always said that ordinary people can change the world. And by that, he means many people, working hard, challenging, asking, questioning and pushing,' Davis told IPS.

'He learnt different things along the way. He was extremely flexible in what he wanted to achieve and in the ways he wanted to achieve something,' she added.

According to her, the situation in South Africa still needs to improve, and progress achieved. 'I was an observer in the first elections and watched all those people going to vote and I was crying a lot. We achieved a lot. But there is still a lot of people who live in dreadful conditions,' she said.

Davis emphasized Mandela’s courage and determination, pointing out he was 'an extraordinary principled-man,' throughout his active life. 'He is never stuck with anything that he thinks it doesn't work for everybody,' Davis said.

According to Renata Sivacolundhu, organizer of the event and information officer in the Human Rights Strategic Communications Division of the UN Department of Public Information, there were a lot of volunteers ready to work on the project.

'We are honouring a man who has given so much of his own life for his country and to the world. This is a tiny thing we can do to help our community,' she told IPS. In South Africa, thousands of children sang a special 'Happy Birthday' to Mandela . South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) was one of many organizations sending him greetings .

Helen Zille, the leader of the party said, 'The most significant honour we can pay this great man on his birthday is to work towards his vision of a better life for all South Africans, to build on his dream, and to vigilantly and consistently protect the Constitution which he called a 'sacred covenant'.'

© Inter Press Service (2011) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service

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