Pretoria, July 19, 2019.- Interview with the Ambassador of South Africa in Cuba, Thaninga Pandit Shope-Linney in coordination with the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, on the occasion of the 101st anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela. Interview for the newspaper Juventud Rebelde (JR)
JR.- What are the main teachings Nelson Rolishlahala Mandela (Madiba) left for South Africa and the world?
Shope-Linney.- What the people and the world acknowledge mainly was that Mandela pardoned the excesses carried out by apartheid during the years of struggle and counseled that in order not to lead the nation to a bloody civil war, we had to unite as brothers and not create hatred: that remains a universal recognition. When he was released after more than 25 years in prison and became the first black president of the country many thought that he would ask the natives to take revenge.
Relevant was also his criterion that forgiving does not mean forgetting, because if a people do, the facts that were committed in the past will be repeated. So we do forgive but we do not forget that is one of Nelson Mandela’s greatest legacies.
Of course, at some point he also opted for armed struggle. The African National Congress (ANC) was founded in 1912 with a policy of negotiating a peaceful solution with the enemy but the regime, by not listening or trying to resolve the very poor living conditions of the South African people, Mandela, who was a member of the ANC Youth League, and stated that they should have an armed wing to confront the aggressive forces that had seized power in the nation. As there was no real way out for the difficult situation, the Umkonto we Sizwe (the Spear of the Nation) emerged.
JR.- In South Africa, a country that suffered the apartheid regime considered as a crime against humanity by the UN, how does the youth of South Africa see the example of Mandela. What activities are carried out in his remembrance?
Shope-Linney.- As it is known, the anniversary of his birth was established by the UN as Nelson Mandela's International Day, which is celebrated all over the world in order to analyze the political life of the communities and help them overcome the challenges they are facing. In South Africa there are young people who think that Mandela made a mistake, when he pardoned, because there have been few changes. Some do not understand that after having suffered centuries of inhuman colonization and a disastrous regime of apartheid, it is very difficult in a country to bring all things to normal in only 25 years of freedom. It is true that there are young people who do not have jobs and citizens that even their lives have not changed for many reasons but all this takes time and the government among the measures adopted, has founded a Forum that helps young people to integrate into society. The state sector, the private sector and non-governmental organizations must collaborate in the task of creating jobs. The government also has a Ministry that cares for women and youth and many programs have been set up to help them, although it recognizes that a greater drive is still needed. There were many years of inequality that must be overcome little by little with the effort of all.
JR - In your opinion, what was the reason behind the great friendship between Mandela and the leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz?
Shope-Linney.- I believe that the similarity between both lies in the great love they felt for humanity and for their peoples without thinking of personal gain. These two leaders dedicated their lives to free their peoples and to bring a decent life for the citizens of their country; to guaranteed education and comprehensive health for children.
In that sense, we have the Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro program through which 648 students have just completed their fifth year of medical studies in Cuba and will do the sixth year in South Africa. Last year, more than 700 made the same plan.
They were visionaries because they also understood that it was essential to bring education and health to their people so that the citizens and the country could grow. When Mandela was in prison, Fidel understood the human quality and prestige of him, and on the other hand, during his years in prison, Mandela read and studied about Fidel's thought. So after his release, one of the first countries he visited was Cuba. Mandela loved this Island of freedom and on several occasions he asked Fidel when he would visit South Africa where all the people admired him, until an unforgettable day, the invitation became effective and the dream was fulfilled.
They are two great men united in history.