"I had no epiphany, no singular revelation, no moment of truth, but a steady accumulation of a thousand slights, a thousand indignities and a thousand unremembered moments produced in me an anger, a rebelliousness, a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people. There was no particular day on which I said, Henceforth I will devote myself to the liberation of my people; instead, I simply found myself doing so, and could not do otherwise".
These are the words of Nelson Mandela, one of the most renowned leaders of the 20th century. His wholehearted commitment to the liberation struggle transformed not only the course of South Africa, but also the world's. However, his path was never easy or even. He had to fight restlessly, jeopardizing his life and the lives of his beloved ones.
He had to become an outlaw, spending a lot of years in the shadows. Mandela spent half of his life working for an organization considered illegal; fighting for a cause which was thought to be inmoral and unrealistic. Nonetheless, even in his darkest moments, he had faith and did not falter.
The Nobel Prize winner was imprisoned for almost three decades. It is amazing how he never gave up; how he held up in the toughest moments, without hesitation.
"It was during those long and lonely years that my hunger for the freedom of my own people became a hunger for the freedom of all people, white and black. I knew as well as I knew anything that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man's freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else's freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity"
I strongly believe that the key to his success was the fact that he always acted with good faith. Mandela always cared about the others, about the people, even when he had to pay the price himself. The sacrifice he was willing to make was immeasurable. He genuinely served the people of South Africa with all his heart and soul.
Reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography has shown me many things. First, the fact that we are all human and we thus make mistakes. Even a peace man as he was made missteps. And that is more than fine. Second, the liberation struggle never ends. We have made great achievements in this field, yet we shall not take any of it for granted. We have to keep fighting till every single person from each and every part of the world is free. Finally and above all, it has given me reasons not to lose faith in Humanity. Because in a country where apartheid reigned, some courageous people decided to stand up and fight for justice. And against all odds, they succeeded. In the book, Mandela said "Even in the grimmest times in prison, when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, perhaps just for a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going. Man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished".
Just to finish, here there is one of my favorite Mandela's reflection: "I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended".
In few words, a long book-more than 700 pages- that explains with all details the life and fight of this unique leader. Very interesting, yet maybe a little bit too long. It contains precious reflections of Mandela, a man that will always be remembered.
The Nobel Prize winner was imprisoned for almost three decades. It is amazing how he never gave up; how he held up in the toughest moments, without hesitation.
"It was during those long and lonely years that my hunger for the freedom of my own people became a hunger for the freedom of all people, white and black. I knew as well as I knew anything that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man's freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else's freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity"
I strongly believe that the key to his success was the fact that he always acted with good faith. Mandela always cared about the others, about the people, even when he had to pay the price himself. The sacrifice he was willing to make was immeasurable. He genuinely served the people of South Africa with all his heart and soul.
Reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography has shown me many things. First, the fact that we are all human and we thus make mistakes. Even a peace man as he was made missteps. And that is more than fine. Second, the liberation struggle never ends. We have made great achievements in this field, yet we shall not take any of it for granted. We have to keep fighting till every single person from each and every part of the world is free. Finally and above all, it has given me reasons not to lose faith in Humanity. Because in a country where apartheid reigned, some courageous people decided to stand up and fight for justice. And against all odds, they succeeded. In the book, Mandela said "Even in the grimmest times in prison, when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, perhaps just for a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going. Man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished".
Just to finish, here there is one of my favorite Mandela's reflection: "I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended".
In few words, a long book-more than 700 pages- that explains with all details the life and fight of this unique leader. Very interesting, yet maybe a little bit too long. It contains precious reflections of Mandela, a man that will always be remembered.
