Mandela Day

Nelson Mandela ha cumplido 95 años y, como homenaje activo a su figura, se ha consagrado cada año el llamado Mandela Day. Es una llamada para dedicar un esfuerzo personal en pro de la comunidad, como retribución a sus 67 años de lucha por la liberación de su pueblo.

Su enorme figura, en lo humano y en lo político, no puede ocultar que, junto con él, hubo cientos y miles de militantes comprometidos en derribar el régimen del apartheid en Sudáfrica. Hace pocos meses que se conmemoró el vigésimo aniversario del asesinato de Chris Hani, Secretario General del Partido Comunista Sudafricano, a manos de un pistolero de extrema derecha.

Nelson Mandela evocó su figura en un acto de homenaje celebrado en abril de 1993, con un discurso titulado We are all militants (Todos somos militantes). Conviene recordar hoy sus palabras, que dignifican tanto a la personalidad evocada (Hani) como al líder que unió a todas la fuerzas anti apartheid.

The struggle is far from over. You are our soldiers of peace, our army for the elections that will transform this country. Go back to your homes, your regions, and organise as never before. Together, we are invincible. That is how we will pay the greatest tribute we can to Chris Hani — freedom in South Africa.

I would also like to address a final word to Chris himself — comrade, friend and confidant. We worked together in the National Executive Committee of the ANC. We had vigorous debates and an intense exchange of ideas. You were completely unafraid. No task was too small for you to perform. Your ready smile and warm friendship was a source of strength and companionship. You lived in my home, and I loved you like the true son you were. In our heart, as in the heart of all our people, you are irreplaceable. We have been struck a blow that wounds so deeply that the scars will remain forever. You laid down your life so that we may know freedom. No greater sacrifice is possible.

We lay you to rest with the pledge that the day of freedom you lived and died for will dawn. We all owe you a debt that can only be repaid through the achievement of the liberation of our people, which was the passion of your life. Fighter, revolutionary, soldier for peace, we mourn deeply for you. You will remain in our hearts forever.

Amandla!