Mandela hailed twenty years on

Mandela hailed twenty years on

"President Jacob Zuma on Thursday hailed Nelson Mandela's legacy of a non-racial, unified South Africa in a state address that celebrated the 20th year of his freedom from apartheid prison."

Money Quote:

"The day Nelson Mandela walked free from Victor Verster Prison our collective spirit soared. It was a day that promised the beginning of the end of indignity." Desmond Tutu

I've been disappointed in South Africa's progress since apartheid ended, but to be honest it's really not all that surprising. When people have been denied education, basic opportunities and told that they are ain't nothing their entire lives, it is often difficult for them to move beyond that and be able to bring about significant social change.

However, I am still hopeful. Very, very hopeful about South Africa's future.

perhaps they would have made more progress.

For some reason, every time I've tried to post videos or articles with video from here, folks in America aren't able to see them.

to progress. Like the U.S., they now have to work on JOBS. I imagine the building of infrastruture will provide some much needed employment but they still need more. I'm also hopeful they can get more assistance for HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention.

Did you remember last year when a prominent government official in South Africa was encouraging people afflicted with HIV/AIDS to just take vitamins??

A vast upgrade in their public health programs is just one area that the South Africans need to develop. With so many South Africans dying and so many AIDS created orphans, this type of thing makes me :banghead:

when he wanted to know why there were no Heroes who looked like him. He was at the age where he loved to play with the little toy "heroes".
I told him there were many heroes who looked like him, but we just didn't see many of them on TV. I used it as an opportunity to discuss some black heroes.

As luck would have it, less than a week later, Nelson Mandela was released. I called my son to watch the news with me. I told him about Mandella and pointed out how he was a Hero, the son of Kings.

When I picked him up from after school care, the director asked if I discussed black history with my son. She said he was telling all the other kids about the Hero King who looked just like him.

The story of Nelson Mandela is WORLD history, not just black history.

Do you know that there are people in the world who still refer to him as a "terrorist?" I find that absolutely fascinating. Likely, the same type of people who 40 years on, still call MLK a "communist."

it makes it all worthwhile! Thank you for that.

In addition to Mandela, Mike Tyson lost his first match, and Dominique Wilkins won his second slam dunk contest...

No wonder you remember it so well. :)

Dominique Wilkins from the Atlanta Hawks?? Lord, I haven't heard that name since folks were talking about hitting Mr. Vee's! (A popular nightclub in Atlanta that's been gone for like 300 years)