UN declares July 18 Nelson Mandela day

Nine News ^ | November 11, 2009

[myknowledge]

The UN General Assembly has declared July 18 "Nelson Mandela International Day" to mark the South African anti-apartheid leader's contribution to peace.

A resolution adopted by consensus by the 192-member world body on Tuesday calls for commemorations every year starting in 2010 on July 18 - Mandela's birthday - to recognise the Nobel Peace Prize laureate's contribution to resolving conflicts and promoting race relations, human rights and reconciliation.

By adopting the resolution, General Assembly President Ali Treki said the international community was expressing its appreciation for "a great man" who suffered for the sake of people everywhere.

Mandela, 91, led the fight against apartheid in South Africa as head of the African National Congress' armed wing. He was convicted of sabotage and other crimes and served 27 years in prison. When he was freed in 1990, he supported reconciliation and helped lead South Africa's transition toward multi-racial democracy.

Mandela became the country's first president to win in a fully democratic election and led South Africa from 1994-99. He is celebrated today as an international statesman and continues to speak out on human rights and other global issues.

The resolution recognises Mandela's "leading role in and support for Africa's struggle for liberation and Africa's unity, and his outstanding contribution to the creation of a non-racial, non-sexist democratic South Africa".

It also acknowledges his "contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and in the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world".

US diplomat Laura Ross said the United States was founded on the belief that all people were created equal and saw in Mandela "a hero and kindred spirit".

Tanzania's UN Ambassador Augustine Mahiga called Mandela "a visionary leader" and an "icon of social freedom" whose life has been the ultimate definition of peace, both in South Africa and throughout the world.

Perhaps Mandela's most outstanding contribution to world peace, he said, was his call for reconciliation with South Africa's white oppressors, an example that should be emulated by all.

[myknowledge]

I don't know what to tell you, but why honor a former South African president who 'tore South Africa upside down'? UN-correctness shows its ugly roots again. For Freepers who are unfamiliar with South African history, Mandela was a member of the SACP, or South African Communist Party. The National Party, which led the apartheid regime from 1948 through to 1994, saw fit to imprison Mandela for 27 years, for being a communist.

As a matter of fact, compare apartheid-era South Africa to the South Africa of today. Which one would you prefer?

[MtnClimber]

His "contribution to peace"?

Peace as defined by Marx? "Peace is the absense of opposition to communism".

[happinesswithoutpeace]

Remember Stompie Moeketsi, FRiend.

[Motorheadlemmy]

What a treasure! He truly turned S. Africa into a paradise during his tenure as president. LOL!

He’s the wet dream of every dem/communist currently in our congress.

Wonder if his ex-old lady, Winnie, is still into wrapping burning tires around teenagers necks...

[JohnLongIsland]

The only one better than him is Robert Mugabe when it comes to nation building.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

musicbomb 0-0\\ 0_0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2am9jCq2eNc

[happinesswithoutpeace]

mbomb

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBujoTwTBZ0

[RPTMS]

That's my birthday, dammit! Mine and Red Skelton's! How dare they?!?

[BigCinBigD]

Think I’ll celebrate by burning some tires.

[Dallas59]

I’m going to go burn some tires in celebration.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

mbomb this guy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjTTznXmuF0

[Motorheadlemmy]

Thank you kindly! You made my night...

[happinesswithoutpeace]

mbomb

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqFoqtpUFY8

[happinesswithoutpeace]

^__^

Loud, fast rules.

You are receiving this broadcast as a dream.

[Finalapproach29er]

More false Idols.

[Conservativism]

You’re poorly attempting to stir up McCarthyist rage. Communist or not, Mandela is a brave man that delivered South Africa from arguably the most institutionalized racist government in modern history. I’m sure most would prefer post-apartheid South Africa to a system where the minority subjugates the majority. Give me liberty or give me death and all that...

[Steve Van Doorn]

Oh yeah everyone should have a tire filled with gas as their necklace on this day. And we can call it Necklacing.

[glock_fan]

I’ll pass.

[SamuraiScot]

I’m sure most would prefer post-apartheid South Africa to a system where the minority subjugates the majority.

It's so much better when the majority subjugates the minority? Wasn't that the problem in Jim Crow days in the U.S.? At least we had public order and the rule of law, even though it was sometimes unfairly applied.

And how about poverty? Folks on the Left keep telling us how important it is to wipe out poverty. Except when it's in S. Africa, Zimbabwe (or whatever), Cuba, or North Korea. People lived more prosperously and safely in all these places, with more reliable justice, before the Communists took over.

[dennisw]

Stompie was killed by that psycho-b!tch and her “soccer team”. I remember it well. That insane woman was Mandela’s wife. She lorded over Soweto or whatever township she was queen of