The symbolism of Mandela Day

The symbolism of Mandela Day

2018 marks the centenary of the birth of the late Nelson Mandela. Born on 18 July 1918 in Mvezo, a small village in the Eastern Cape, Nelson Mandela went on to become an international icon and the face of the South African liberation struggle. After his entry into politics in the 1940s, Mandela led the Defiance Campaign in 1952 and as repression increased, he was arrested in 1955 and stood trial for high treason alongside 155 other co-accused in what became known as the 1956 Treason Trial. Following his acquittal, Mandela went underground and led the armed struggle in the aftermath of the Sharpeville massacre when police opened fire on protesters and killed 69 unarmed people on 21 March 1960. In 1962, Mandela was arrested and after the police raided Lilieslief in Rivonia, Johannesburg, he joined 10 others on trial for sabotage in what became known as the Rivonia Trial. While he might have been spared from the gallows, Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment and spent the next 27 years in prison on Robben Island.

Recognized as the legitimate leader of a free South Africa, the international solidarity movement actively campaigned and advocated for his release through awareness campaigns, sanctions, boycotts and legal and financial assistance. Major international events in support of Mandela's release formed an important part of the international solidarity movement. During the late 1980s, celebrating Mandela's birthday became a popular way of raising political awareness about South African apartheid, as well as exemplifying a renewed call for his release. Birthday tributes reminded the world, and the apartheid government, that the world would not accept the tyranny of the apartheid system. The 1980s was characterised by mounting political instability, and a permanent state of emergency, the urgency of pressuring the South African government to end apartheid escalated. It is against this background that a musical festival, which was broadcasted worldwide in 1988, was held at London's Wembley Stadium.  Millions of viewers were able to participate in the celebration of Mandela's 70th birthday even though he was still imprisoned. More than just a liberation struggle icon, with his release in 1990 and subsequent inauguration as president of the new democratic South Africa, Mandela became immortalised as a universal symbol of social justice and peace in the consciousness of many.  In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly formally declared 18 July as Mandela Day, a day meant to remind the world about the immense power of taking action.