“What counts in life is not the mere fact of having lived. It is the changes that we have brought about in the lives of others that determine the meaning of ours »(Mandiba 2002)
Mandela, or Mandiba, or as some call it; South African gay icon, was a fighter for human rights. After 27 years serving his sentence, he was released. He was noted for his fight against the Apartheid regime and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Mandiba never positioned himself in favor of the LGBT community, as many more humane (or less) politicians do. He evaded the subject. Until one day he had to decide whether the LGBT community could enjoy the same human rights as any other human being. And he said yes. Becoming the first African president to publicly support the gay community.
Mandiba will be remembered as the man, of endearing appearance, who with the absolute normality treated anyone. Regardless of your sexual, religious preferences or your diseases. A good example of Mandiba's legacy is found in Edwin Cameron. Judge of the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg. Homosexual and HIV positive.
'I have been lucky. Mandela appointed me at the end of his first year in office in December 1994 as an openly gay man to the Supreme Court and, 16 years later, I am a member of the highest court in South Africa. I can honestly say that my sexual orientation was irrelevant'.
Mandiba's words would become the most viral of the XNUMXth and XNUMXst centuries. His choices changed the World. Making changes in any society a reality. Opening the door to peaceful revolution. A struggle to extremes that before many could not have imagined. But above all, restoring the dignity of a group that is persecuted, singled out and humiliated.
One year after his death we can see that his legacy has ceased to be a heritage of South Africa to be a world heritage site.
Mandiba has not died, he has won the game
(1918 - 2013)
