In Delhi, students honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy

“Stand up, stand up for your rights. Don’t give up the fight,” a young choir sang as other students clapped and joined in the chorus at the celebrations to mark Nelson Mandela’s 106th birth anniversary in New Delhi.

More than 300 students from schools across the National Capital Region gathered at the India International Centre to pay tribute to the former South African President and life-long activist against apartheid.

The 18 July event was co-organized by the United Nations Information Centre for India and the NGOs Gandhi Yuva Baradari and the Working Group on Alternative Strategies. 

Sedula Mashudubele Mamabolo, Counsellor (Political) at the South African High Commission, told the students that reading Mr. Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom had changed the course of his life. Mr. Mamabolo highlighted how Mr. Mandela pushed for education to serve as a stepping stone in life for children from underprivileged backgrounds.

Students decked in the colours of the South African flag regaled the audience with songs, while others exhibited artworks to pay homage to the work of Mr. Mandela — who was also known by his nickname, Madiba — to promote peace and justice.

During a free-wheeling interactive session with Mr. Mamabolo, students asked questions about drawing inspiration from Mr. Mandela’s values and shared their ideas on finding role models in a divisive world and overcoming differences to build a better future.

In a video message to mark the day, UN Secretary General António Guterres said the inequality, hunger and poverty that existed in the world were not natural facts. “They are the result of humanity’s choices. And we can decide to do things differently. We can choose to eradicate poverty. We can choose to end inequality… We can choose to fight racism, combat climate change and create a world that works for all humanity,” he said.

Mr. Guterres urged everyone to “perform 67 minutes of public service o Nelson Mandela International Day – one minute for each year he fought for justice.  Together, let’s honour Madiba’s legacy and turn our hands towards building a better world for all.”