So Nelson Mandela has died aged 95. One of the heroes of the modern age. South Africa's favourite son. A source of hope for billions of people. The head of MK, the armed wing of the ANC. Sorry what was that last bit? Mandela? A terrorist? Yes, a FACT conveniently forgotten by almost everyone around the globe.
I know I'm going to get into trouble in some way for this, but what the hell. You can't argue with facts. In 1961 Mandela co-founded The Spear of the Nation, MK for short. He soon became chairman of the group and gained ideas on guerilla warfare from illegal writings by Chairman Mao and Che Guavara. Initially the MK agreed to only bombing strategic points such as telephone lines, military bases, power plants amongst other things, whilst civilians were not present. However, Mandela himself stated, "should these tactics fail, MK would resort to guerilla warfare and terrorism". MK announced its existence with 57 bombings on Dingane's Day, 16th December 1961, and with further bombings on New Year's Eve. He was captured and arrested in 1962, and his residence Lilesleaf Farm was raided in 1963, where police found documents revealing MK's activities, some of which mentioned Mandela. After legal wranglings he was sentenced to life imprisonment, narrowly missing the death sentence. If you want to read more about this one particular incident, or other acts that Mandela was involved with, simply read his Wikipedia page- Nelson Mandela, Wikipedia
Now obviously I am not denying that Mandela was a great man who fought for the end of apartheid in South Africa. What I am saying is that he started out with terrorist beliefs and advocated violence to get what he wanted. How ironic that he received the Nobel Peace Prize. Mandela is seen as a great man. Where some see a terrorist, others see a 'freedom fighter'. It all depends on your point of view, and who is in power. They are people who are fighting for what they believe in. Fictional group A who blows up government offices will claim they are freedom fighters, fighting for what they believe in, whereas the fictional government will believe they are terrorists.
All I am asking for is a little perspective. Notions such as calls for a statue to be erected in his honour in Manchester Town Hall are far beyond what is required. I fail to see how the plight of Mandela and South Africa affects us in the north of England. He has made no difference to our lives over here whatsoever, and why should he? People say he has offered hope to billions. Well, in his own South Africa the majority of black people are still treated like dog muck over 20 years after his release. There are still horrific shanty towns housing black communities. Hope has been offered, little has really been gained. One of my school teachers had a holiday in South Africa around the turn of the Millenium and still saw whites whistling orders at black hotel bellboys as if they were dogs.
RIP Nelson Mandela 1918- 2013
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