Nelson
Mandela's Walk to Freedom
Excerpts of Comments by Hon. David Kilgour,
P.C., M.P. for Edmonton Southeast
At a Public Event to Celebrate the 10th
Anniversary of the Release of Nelson Mandela
National Archives Theatre, Ottawa, February
11, 2000
Today, we
remember the historic walk of Nelson Mandela
from prison. He is the man who inspired
the masses, whose long walk to freedom has
given South African children and children
all around the world new reasons to dream
and live their dreams. None of us can ever
forget that defining moment ten years ago,
when we saw him leave the gates of Victor
Verster prison to the jubilation of the
on looking crowds on the dusty road.
Mandela stands
as arguably one of the greatest figures
in history. His devotion to the struggle
for freedom and democracy ensured that every
South African enjoys equality under the
law. We have watched him rise from freedom
fighter to president. Not only south Africa
but our global village has become a better
place in which to live thanks to giants
like Madiba.
It was Mandela’s
dream to see an African renaissance emerge
in his lifetime, and this notion has been
articulated by his successor Thabo Mbeki.
The 21st century must, of necessity, be
the African Century. This is the time of
Africa’s rebirth, to celebrate the
continent’s great achievements, rich
culture and vibrant history. Africa is the
cradle of humankind.
We have to
salute brave new leaders like Mbeki and
Obasanjo, who are working towards a new
Cupertino across Africa, which will place
priority focus on good governance, transparency,
accountability, a human rights culture,
education, health care and economic regeneration.
Africans
are being inspired by new policies which
promote people-centre societies, and people-driven
processes of development. The human security
imperative is being increasingly recognized
as a vital cornerstone f foreign and domestic
policy. The absence of human security in
sub-Saharan Africa has been the single biggest
internal challenge confronting stability
in the region. Stringent efforts to address
poverty, weak state structures, and ethnic
tension will help to eradicate the underlying
causes of conflict.
None of us
can pretend that the achievement of the
African renaissance will be easy, but we
must refuse to be discouraged in our forward
advance.
Canada shares
a common destiny with Africa. Humanity is
interdependent and no country or region
can stand as an island. No one can be truly
free unless we are all free. None of us
can be truly prosperous unless none elsewhere
goes hungry, and none of us can be guaranteed
a good quality of life unless we act together
to protect the environment.
Canada will
work with Africa to ensure that the possibilities
represented by globalization actually reinforce
the struggle for an African renaissance.
We will also work towards a more democratic
system of international relations where
the voice of the poor is strengthened. We
will actively work within global bodies
like the United Nations to develop an agenda
which is more responsive to the needs of
the developing world.
Canada pledges
to continue its efforts to work with its
African partners in bringing basic education
to those struggling without schoolrooms,
books or the advantage of internet connectivity.
We will continue to look for ways to reduce
the scourge of HIV/AIDS on the continent
and also promote the emancipation of women.
This is our collective challenge, and we
are rising to it as the African renaissance
moves from flame to fire.
Let me end
with a true story about Mr. Mandela, told
to my wife, Laura, by a member of the delegation
with the President during his visit to Canada
last year.
Sometime
between 1990 and 1994, Madiba was invited
to be the guest speaker at the graduation
of a university in rural South Africa. The
Chancellor of the university began by addressing
the 30,000 or so people before him in the
stadium: "You think you know our guest
speaker, but I know him better. Years ago,
we practiced law: he defended the people;
I defended South Africa’s laws of the
period. Years later, I was one of the judges
who sentenced him to life in prison."
At that point,
Mandela stood up, walked over and took the
microphone. He said to the by then angry
crowd: "I have asked South Africans
to forgive and reconcile. How can I ask
that if I’m not ready to do so myself."
At that point, he hugged the Chancellor.
The young man who told my wife the story
said he was a very angry young man when
he arrived at the stadium. He found the
incident to be a life-changing event. So,
I submit, have all of us found Nelson Mandela
to be in our own lives.
Thank you.
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