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Tag: apartheid

  • John Kerry Regrets Calling Israel An ‘Apartheid State’

    John Kerry is not an envious position. As Secretary of State, he has to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without the appearance of taking sides. He did that previously when he said that Israel would become an “apartheid state” if an agreement wasn’t reached. As you can imagine, comparing Israel to apartheid South Africa got Kerry plenty of criticism and how he’s taking a little step back.

    Politico reports that Kerry recently said that he chose poor words when he said Israel was an apartheid state. Interestingly enough, he didn’t apologize for the meaning of what he said. Instead, he blamed conservatives for blowing his comments out of proportion. After all, Kerry loves Israel for the “vibrant democracy” that it is.

    Here’s his full statement:

    “I will not allow my commitment to Israel to be questioned by anyone, particularly for partisan, political purposes, so I want to be crystal clear about what I believe and what I don’t believe. First, Israel is a vibrant democracy and I do not believe, nor have I ever stated, publicly or privately, that Israel is an apartheid state or that it intends to become one. Second, I have been around long enough to also know the power of words to create a misimpression, even when unintentional, and if I could rewind the tape, I would have chosen a different word to describe my firm belief that the only way in the long term to have a Jewish state and two nations and two peoples living side by side in peace and security is through a two-state solution.”

    In short, Kerry wanted a way to describe what Israel would look like if a two-state solution wasn’t reached. It’s not far out to say that Palestinians are treated unfairly as it currently stands. While it’s debatable over whether or not things are as bad as they were for South Africans under apartheid, the sentiment is the same. Without a two-state solution, Palestinians will feel like second-class citizens.

    Despite apologizing for his poor word choice, pro-Israel senators will use Kerry’s comments against the Obama administration. Sen. Ted Cruz has already called for Kerry’s resignation over the comments and it may well be used as ammunition when criticizing the administration’s thus far failed attempts at brokering a peace deal between Israel and Palestine:

    Speaking of the peace deal, it has seemingly failed for now. The deadline to reach a deal was today with no deal in sight. The U.S. has also called back its envoy to the region and has no immediate plans to see him return.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Nelson Mandela Leaves $4.1 Million Estate, Hopes Family Stays Unified

    “Reading wills are always occasions charged with emotion.”

    This reply came from Deputy Constitutional Court head, Dikgang Moseneke, when queried about the recent review of Nelson Mandela’s own will to friends and family members.

    The man who spent his life in selfless service continued conferring his possessions onto those he loved after his passing – in the form of his $4.1 million estate. According to Moseneke, the mood was generally good among his relatives, all of whom were reportedly present for the reading. Family members, schools, former staff, and the ruling African National Congress each learned they would acquire a generous inheritance from Mandela on Monday.

    When the former South African president passed away last year, he left behind an estate that included homes in Johannesburg, Eastern Cape, Qunu, and Mthatha as well as royalties from his writing.

    While his wife, Graca, was left half the estate, it is reported that she will likely relinquish her rights to it in exchange for other assets and four properties in Mozambique. With respect to friends, workers, and educational institutions, Mandela left about $4,500 for personal staff members like his loyal aide, Zelda la Grange, around $8,900 for various schools he attended, and roughly equivalent sums for scholarships and grants. Also receiving part of his royalties may be the African National Congress, with the aim of spreading information regarding party policies and principles – especially reconciliation.

    The children of Mandela have disagreed in times past regarding who heads the family or who should gain from his investments. Some of them have even already appropriated the name of the anti-apartheid hero to sell wine, clothing, artwork, social network ventures, and reality television shows.

    Even so, they and some of his grandchildren each received $300,000 and the estate is to be split among trusts for the benefit of his more than 30 descendants. However, the spiritual priorities that guided Mandela’s life mission did not depart with him in December. In fact, they may have been best clarified when he wrote of his hopes for the Houghton home in which he died after 95 years spent bravely enriching humanity:

    “It is my wish that it should also serve as a place of gathering of the Mandela family in order to maintain its unity long after my death.”

    In the midst of his monetary bounty and the branding of his image, let us hope that that for which Mr. Mandela actually stood endures – and that his true “will” is carried out by those who benefited from his generosity.


    Image via Youtube

  • Charlize Theron Leads Celebrities in Mandela Tribute

    After the sad news spread that Nelson Mandela passed away yesterday at the age of 95, mourners from around the world showed the Nobel Peace Prize Winner a lot of love and respect. Appreciation and gratitude for all that Mandela did to stop apartheid in South Africa, including giving up his own freedom, was sincerely expressed by the Hollywood community.

    Charlize Theron is from South Africa, she grew up on a farm in Johannesburg. The Oscar winning actress alongside The Wire actor Idris Elba both spoke last night after the premiere of the biopic about Mandela’s life, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Theron had this to say, “My thoughts and love go out to the Mandela family. Rest in Peace Madiba. You will be missed, but your impact on this world will live forever. There will never be words to say what I’m feeling right now. I am saddened to the depths of my soul. Truly.”

    Theron is also the creator of CTAOP, an organization to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youth in Africa. The group works alongside Oprah’s Angel Network to provide mobil health services to an impoverished region in South Africa called The uMkhanyakude District.

    Elba, who played Mandela in the biopic, also paid his respects. “I am stunned at this very moment, in mourning with the rest of the world and Madiba’s family. We have lost one of the greatest human beings to have walked this earth, I only feel honored to be associated with him. He is in a better place now.

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    Many celebrities also expressed their thoughts on the life and death of the South African Leader. Morgan Freeman, who played Mandela in the 2009 film Invictus said, “What an honor it was to portray a man who defied odds, broke down barriers, and championed human rights before the eyes of the world.”

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    Also paying their respects were Rihanna, Cher, Kerry Washington, David Beckham and Harvey Weinstein, to name just a few. Naomi Campbell was especially moving in her tribute. “Nelson has stood as a figure of strength, hope, freedom, selflessness and love, and I join everyone across the world in mourning his passing.” She went on to say, “However, he was much more than just a figurehead to me – he was my mentor, my honorary grandfather, my Tata. Since meeting him in 1993, he’s guided me and gave me a reason for being in the tough times of my life. He changed my perception of the world.”

    The Long Walk to Freedom hit theaters last week in limited release. The biopic is based on Mandela’s autobiography of the same name. The narrative moves between his childhood, coming of age and the 27 years he spent in prison before becoming President of South Africa.

    Image Via Facebook, Facebook, Wikipedia

  • Nelson Mandela, Former President Of South Africa, Dies At Age 95

    Nelson Mandela was a pioneer of peace, freedom and unity. The man who served 27 years in prison due to his opposition to South Africa’s apartheid laws, and later became the president of South Africa, died today.

    He will be remembered as a hero of the people, and one of the most significant leaders in history. The news was officially announced by South African President Jacob Zuma, when said “We’ve lost our greatest son.”

    Nelson Mandela was born Rolihlahla, meaning “Troublemaker,” on July 18, 1918. He was renamed Nelson by a teacher in school. His health has been in decline for several years now, but he was able to extend his life through his power and perseverance, dying at the old age of 95.

    Mandela was a pioneer of human rights, and has been the subject of several films including Invictus, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, Winnie, and more. He was one of the nation’s first black lawyers, and he joined the African National Congress in 1952, devoting his life to peacefully ending apartheid. He soon shifted his fight to the streets, and began to live on the run.

    Nelson Mandela was later forced to serve 27 years in the Robben Island prison for conspiracy and sabotage, before getting out, and being able to change the country for the better. He has been looked up to as a hero by many people all over the world.

    African American poet Maya Angelou spoke of Mandela’s character when saying “Mandela represents the best any of us can hope for. He was a great man. … And I’m grateful. The world is better for having him.”

    Mandela was a very important figure in the 20th century, and people all over the world have been reacting to his death in a very touching way. His death is a great loss to all that knew him, or those that appreciated him for the great man that he was.

    Celebrities, politicians, and citizens around the world have shown their support for the former leader, and will continue to do so with his upcoming funeral being held in South Africa. The Huffington Post released a slideshow of a wide variety of politicians who have all made statements about Nelson Mandela, and what he meant to them, including everyone from President Obama, to former President Clinton, and many others.

    After choosing to only serve one five-year term as president, Mandela accomplished a lot for his people including introducing free health care for children, and he stepped up government investment in housing, education, jobs and infrastructure.

    Nelson Mandela was a hero to many people around the world, and because of the things he accomplished, he is likely to continue to inspire people for generations to come.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Nelson Mandela Assassination Plotters Sentenced to 35 Years

    A South African court convicted five ring-wing extremist leaders of treason for plotting to assassinate former South African President Nelson Mandela.

    In a trial that lasted 10 years,  ringleader, Mike du Toit and four other men were sentenced to 35 years in prison by a Pretoria High Court. The men were members of a group called ‘Boeremag‘ — a gang of apartheid loyalists who were implicated in an attempt of a coup in 2002. A number other Boeremag members received lesser sentences.

    (image)According to BBC ,witnesses testified that Boeremag tried to assassinate Nelson Mandela by setting off a bomb along a route he was scheduled to travel on. Fortunately for Mandela, he changed his choice of vehicles that day and proceeded to his destination by helicopter.

    South Africa has come a long way since democratically electing its first black President 20 years ago, but the country still has some ways to go. Even so, most South Africans are not extreme in their racial beliefs — apartheid is over — and extremist groups like Boeremag and the Afrikaner Resistance Movement have little support either from the country’s majority of 40 million blacks or its 5 million white minority.

    The alleged ringleader of Boeremag is Mike du Toit — a former university professor. Du Toit was the first of the group to have been convicted of treason last July.

    According to the prosecution Du Toit created a blueprint for ridding South Africa of blacks and implementing an all white military government. Du Toit’s plans detailed how he and his gang would lure blacks toward the country’s northern border by baiting them with parcels of food while using the country’s Indian population as allies before shooting them once their mission was accomplished.

    Du Toit’s maniacal plans included other heinous acts like: blowing up a dam and shooting down an aeroplane to reach their goal of ridding South Africa of its native black population.

    Almost 200 people testified against Boeremag — including some informants from within the group. Ironically, the trial took place in the same courtroom that Mandala was sentenced to 27 year back in 1964.

     

    photo of Mandela via Wikipedia and one.org

  • Nelson Mandela Not Vegetative, Says South Africa

    Though former South African president Nelson Mandela is almost certainly nearing death, the exact state of his health is now becoming the subject of scrutiny and rumor. Earlier this week, Mandela’s relatives filed court documents over a family disagreement about where Mandela will be buried. The documents stated that Mandela is in a vegetative state, though the wording was later changed to only state the civil rights leader is being “assisted in breathing by a life support machine.”

    To clear things up, South African President Jacob Zuma this week issued an official statement on Mandela’s health. Zuma visited Mandela in a Pretoria hospital on July 4 and reported that Mandela is in “critical, but stable condition.” He also emphasized that Mandela’s doctors deny he is in a vegetative state. Mandela is receiving round-the-clock care from medical experts. From Zuma’s statement:

    Former President Mandela has been and remains under the care of a multi-disciplinary panel of South African medical experts drawn from the South Africa Military Health Services, the public sector, the universities and the private sector. Under this panel a team of doctors, nurses, paramedics and other health professionals attend to Madiba on a 24 hour basis.

  • Nelson Mandela Near Death, Says Court Documents

    Nelson Mandela, the 94-year-old anti-apartheid South African leader who became a global icon for equality, is currently being treated in a hospital for a lung infection. It looked bad, but a recently leaked court document makes it seem even worse than previously thought.

    Mandela’s relatives submitted court documents on June 28 in hopes of retrieving the remains of three of his children. Those documents have now been leaked, and they say that Mandela is probably close to death.

    “The anticipation of his impending death is based on real and substantial grounds. The applicants are desirous of burying their father and committing him to the earth in which his descendants’ remains lie. Nelson Mandela’s health is perilous. (An) affidavit will be provided from physicians that he is assisted in breathing by a life support machine.”

    The subject of Mandela’s health has seen conflicting reports these past few days. Some say that he’s dying while others claim that his health is improving. These leaked court documents seem to finally confirm our worst fears.

    In a bit of good news, a South African court did rule in favor of Mandela’s family by ordering his children’s remains to be returned to his childhood village of Qunu. If he does die from this illness, Mandela’s family will at least be at peace knowing that the civil rights leader will be buried next to those that he loved.

    In other news, President Obama traveled to South Africa to speak about Mandela. He called him a “personal hero” and said that the world should follow his example:

    [h/t: Huffington Post]