Zubair Qureshi
Nelson Mandela Day is a global call to action for people to change the world and uphold higher values for the larger good of humanity.
South African Acting Higher Commissioner Christo Janse Van Noordwyk said this while speaking at a seminar held in continuation of UN Nelson Mandela International Day entitled “Nelson Mandela’s Glorious Legacy: Lessons for Today and Tomorrow” organized by Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPD) in collaboration with the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSAT).
The talk was attended by a large number of diplomats, ambassadors, former diplomats, academicians, students and people from different walk of life.
The participants of the seminar were of the consensus view that nations across the world can learn lessons from the legacy of Nelson Mandela.
Mr Noordwyk said the great leader Mandela promoted the ethos of Ubuntu to advancing us collective unity, irrespective of race, creed, and orientation, as South Africans and as the global community throughout his life.
Acting High Commissioner said that promoting human rights, improvement injustice mechanism and respect for international law, global economic developments are the main objectives for South Africa’s foreign policy.
Mr. Noordwyk said the Day reminds all citizens about the power of selflessness, human service, giving and the spirit of Ubuntu, to be commemorated also through social activism.
While highlighting Pakistan’s support, Noordwyk said Pakistan provided invaluably and principled support during the Liberation Struggle of Nelson Mandela, and also assisted South Africa in its transformation process. He said that he had deep respect in the context of the struggle for independence and a special affinity to Pakistan as it is one of the few countries that Nelson Mandela visited twice, adding that Pakistan the government presented the country’s highest civil award, Nishan-e-Pakistan to Mandela.
“Today, South Africa is committed to developing partnerships around the world on the spirit of internationalism, Pan-Africanism, and South-South solidarity promotes poverty alleviation around the world to oppose structural inequality and abuse of power in the global system for democracy within the international system of governance,” he maintained.
“Free yourself, Free others, serve every day are the three rules that Nelson Mandela followed throughout his life, which he did at a great personal sacrifice, the envoy said. He further narrated that “It was his way of life. The Nelson Mandela Foundation is mobilizing the legacy of Nelson Mandela to find sustainable solutions to the problems confronting humanity, through deep dialogue informed by robust research, analysis and evaluation.”
The diplomat hoped Mandela Day will become an even more vital means of honoring and activating his legacy and joins the government, civil society, industry and the general public in a common purpose to build a global movement for good and empower communities.
IPD President Farhat Asif made the audience known to the importance of Nelson Mandela Day. Ambassador R Fouzia Nasreen highlighted the vision and mission of the commission.
