Harry Targ
One of the ironies of 21st century
historical discourse is that despite significantly increased access to
information, historical narratives are shaped by economic and political
interest and ideology more than ever before. Widely distributed accounts about iconic
political figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King stun those of us who are
knowledgeable about the times in which these figures lived. Real historic
figures get lionized, sanitized and most importantly redefined as defenders of
the ongoing order rather than activists
who committed their lives to revolutionary changes in the economic and
political structures that exploit and oppress people. Most of the media reviews
of the life and achievements of Nelson Mandela fit this model.
However, most of my remembrances of Nelson Mandela are
different.
First, he committed his life to the cause of
creating an economic and political system in his homeland that would provide
justice for all people.
Second, Nelson Mandela was part of the great wave of
revolutionary anti-colonial leaders who participated in the mass movements for
change in the Global South in the 20th century. These movements for
independence led to the achievement of liberation for two-thirds of the world’s
population from harsh, inhumane white minority rule. The campaign against
apartheid in South Africa was part of this anti-colonial struggle. Mandela
shared the vision of such figures as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharial Nehru, Kwame Nkrumah,
Amical Cabral, Franz Fanon, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. These leaders were
spokespersons for mass struggles that transformed the world in the 20th
century.
Third, Nelson Mandela gave voice and inspiration to
young people in the Global North who sought peace and justice in their own
societies. Mandela inspired movements that went beyond the struggle against
racism and imperialism to address sexism and homophobia as well.
Fourth, Mandela made it clear to many of us (despite
sanitized media frames) that he saw himself as part of the movements of people
who themselves make history. He worked with all those who shared his vision of
a just society: grassroots movements, the South African Communist Party (SACP),
the South African labor movement (COSATU), the Black Consciousness Movement,
and progressives from faith communities. To quote from Mandela’s first speech
upon release from prison on February 11, 1990:
On this day of my release, I extend my sincere and warmest
gratitude to the millions of my compatriots and those in every corner of the
globe who have campaigned tirelessly for my release.
I send special greetings to the people of Cape Town, this
city which has been my home for three decades. Your mass marches and other
forms of struggle have served as a constant source of strength to all political
prisoners.
I salute the African National Congress. It has fulfilled our
every expectation in its role as leader of the great march to freedom.
I salute our President, Comrade Oliver Tambo, for leading
the ANC even under the most difficult circumstances.
I salute the rank and file members of the ANC. You have
sacrificed life and limb in the pursuit of the noble cause of our struggle.
I salute combatants of Umkhonto we Sizwe….who have paid the
ultimate price for the freedom of all South Africans.
I salute the South African Communist Party for its sterling
contribution to the struggle for democracy. You have survived 40 years of
unrelenting persecution.
I salute General Secretary Joe Slovo, one of our finest patriots.
We are heartened by the fact that the alliance between ourselves and the Party
remains as strong as it always was.
I salute the United Democratic Front, the National Education
Crisis Committee, the South African Youth Congress, the Transvaal and Natal
Indian Congresses and COSATU and the many other formations of the Mass
Democratic Movement.
I also salute the Black Sash and the National Union of South
African Students. We note with pride that you have acted as the conscience of
white South Africa. Even during the darkest days in the history of our struggle
you held the flag of liberty high. The large-scale mass mobilisation of the
past few years is one of the key factors which led to the opening of the final
chapter of our struggle.
I extend my
greetings to the working class of our country. Your organised strength is the
pride of our movement. You remain the most dependable force in the struggle to
end exploitation and oppression….
I pay tribute to the many religious communities who carried
the campaign for justice forward when the organisations for our people were
silenced….
I pay tribute to the endless heroism of youth, you, the
young lions. You, the young lions, have energised our entire struggle.
I pay tribute to the mothers and wives and sisters of our
nation. You are the rock-hard foundation of our struggle. Apartheid has
inflicted more pain on you than on anyone else.
On this occasion, we thank the world community for their great
contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle. Without your support our struggle
would not have reached this advanced stage. The sacrifice of the frontline
states will be remembered by South Africans forever.
Finally, Nelson Mandela inspired many of us in our
own ways to commit to the historical march of people to make a better world. That
commitment is powerfully described by a friend, Willie Williamson, a retired
teacher from Chicago:
“As
a young man I learned about Nelson Mandela serving time in prison in South
Africa. At that time I was politically ignorant about international affairs,
but became curious about the Apartheid racial system because it reminded me so
much of the small Mississippi town that I grew up in. Already angered, after
completing a stint in the Vietnam War, I became outraged and somewhat withdrawn.
But it was the fight to free Mandela that brought me around to understanding
that I had to become a part of a movement with justice at its core. I have
Mandela to thank for my understanding of how to relieve an unjust power of its
stranglehold. The fight must always be for justice throughout the world!”
