His Excellency the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in Sweden, Mr. Yahdih Bouchaab writes in honour of Nelson Mandela.
Nelson Mandela
~ Eulogie ~
Nelson Mandela, hero of the fight against apartheid in South Africa, is no longer among us. With his passing away, the world lost a great man, a true democrat and an apostle of dialogue who devoted his entire life to the struggle against all forms of extremism and the advancement of freedom and dignity.
“Madiba”, as his fellow citizens affectionately call him, was a true believer in openness and tolerance. To him, accepting differences was the only path towards rebuilding and healing the wounds of a Nation.
Mandela spent 27 years behind bars, from 1963 to 1990; thus becoming the iconic symbol of the oppressed Black South African people. His liberation was claimed the world over. During his incarceration, he learned how to understand his adversaries to the extent of learning their language; Afrikaans. History will always remember that he invited those who imprisoned and tortured him in the past to his Presidential Inauguration ceremony. Had he not dared negotiate back then with the apartheid regime, a peaceful transition to a multiracial democracy would never have become a reality.
On November 28th, 1994, Mandela was received by the late King, Hassan II of Morocco. Their encounter was historical as it symbolized the friendship between the two African leaders. However, Mandela’s relationship with the Kingdom of Morocco dates back to the early sixties. Oujda, a city in Eastern Morocco, has been a home for “Madiba” from 1960 to 1962. His political action was then carried out in close collaboration with the Algerian Liberation Army, which independent Morocco welcomed and helped to free Algeria.
The South African icon succeeded in taking up the challenge of racial equality and political freedom; thus leaving a precious legacy for a new South African generation that now shoulders the mission of translating the cherished and hardly gained freedoms into equal opportunities and economic, social and cultural rights for all, regardless of race, origin or religion.
There is no better tribute to pay to such a role model than to follow his steps on the path of reconciliation and to keep going his dream of a united Africa.
Written by : H.E. Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in Sweden, Mr. Yahdih Bouchaab
Published by : Afroscandic
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