It was a watershed moment for the people of South Africa as well as for people of African origin anywhere and anti-racists and democrats around the world. Mandela's image, fist raised in the air, thousands of people looking on, will remain etched in our minds forever and indicated one of the brightest moments in the history of this continent.
It was with that single image that it was possible to once and for all see the new era for this region. The era of freedom and democratic rule, and the death, once and for all, of white supremacy. This is worth remembering because it is only when armed with the weapons of our past experiences that we can competently face the future. We therefore take this moment to recognise the special role that Mandela played in the history of this continent and its Diaspora. Mandela thus, has come to serve as a symbol of the irrepressible ability of the human spirit. The fight for human dignity is not open to negotiation.
