What Mandela Day means to the ANC

Jackson Mthembu, ANC national spokesperson, said: “As we once again rejoice with comrade Nelson Mandela on the occasion of his birthday, the world celebrates a life committed to the service of humanity.

The ANC wishes president Mandela a restful and joyous 95th birthday.

“This special day, five years shy of a century of a worthy life, presents an opportunity not only to reflect on his life, sacrifices and the role he still occupies as an international icon of our struggle, father of our nation and a unifier, most importantly it provides an opportunity to emulate this life well lived,” said Mthembu.

Mthembu said Mandela continues to be an inspiration and a beacon of hopeto the ANC, the people of South Africa and the world.

His life remains inextricably linked to the struggle of the people of South Africa for freedom, liberty and dignity.

As founding member and later president of the ANC Youth League, Volunteer-in-Chief of the Defiance Campaign and first soldier and later Commander-in-Chief of Umkhonto weSizwe, President Nelson Mandela, together with his comrades, played a central role agitating for a society based on the ideals of the National Democratic Revolution of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society.

Madiba is locally and internationally recognised as a renowned statesman, a symbol of reconciliation and nation building.

Mthembu said the ANC is humbled that the United Nations will be calling a special sitting honouring Tata at its headquarters in New York today.

The sitting, to be addressed by Isithwalandwe Seaparankwe Andrew Mlangeni, Former US President Bill Clinton, Reverend Jesse Jackson and celebrated artist Harry Belafonte, shall bring together world leaders in recognition of President Mandela and the role he has played in service of humanity.

This event and many others organised throughout the world are further testimony of Mandela’s ability to bring together the people of world, united in their diversity towards and for a good cause.

“While we are inspired by the preparations for tomorrow, the ANC joins the Mandela Foundation and our icon, Tata Madiba, as he sits at the Mediclinic Hospital, in calling on all people of South Africa, the continent and the world to make everyday a Mandela Day.