'Scale the mountains' ; Mandela's message to black Britain

[General Duke]

 

Mandela's message to black Britain

'Scale the mountains': the call from Mandela to black leaders

 

By Cahal Milmo

Published: 29 August 2007

 

Nelson Mandela, the hero of the global battle for racial equality, last night made an impassioned appeal for leading black Britons to take a lead in countering violence and low achievement in the inner cities.

 

At the start of a visit to Britain to celebrate his own life, the former South African president said it was vital that the achievements of the UK's successful black people were harnessed to inspire those "who scale the mountains with you".

 

The challenge from the 89-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, who will today unveil a 9ft statue of himself in Parliament Square, comes at a time of intense debate about the need for a new generation of role models for black teenagers.

 

A report this month estimated that tackling under-achievement among young black men and boys would boost the British economy by £24bn over 50 years.

 

Mr Mandela said the gathering was "testament not only to the achievements of all of you gathered but also to the ability of a city to harness the talents of all of those who come in search of opportunity, and all of those who follow them".

 

Mr Mandela added: "Leadership comes with responsibility. It is important for you as leaders to harness those responsibilities and ensure that you also empower those around you who scale the mountains with you."

 

The message was delivered by Mr Mandela's grandson to a dinner held at the Dorchester Hotel in Mayfair for leading black Britons to recognise their success, much of it in areas that go unrecognised by mainstream media.

 

Mr Mandela said of the gathering: "Although this evening may only represent the first-ever Londoner Black Leader dinner, it is your job to ensure that this is only the first of many such events to follow."

 

Among the guests last night were Stanley Musesengwa, the head of multi-national sugar conglomerate Tate & Lyle, and Damon Buffini, the boss of the private equity firm, Permira.

 

Mr Mandela, who was too frail to attend last night's event, took the opportunity to underline the message that black communities should be seeking equality during an earlier visit to Downing Street.

 

Speaking alongside his wife, Graca Machel, after a meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Mr Mandela said: "My wife and I are happy to be here because, as you know, they were one of our rulers, but we overthrew them. We are on an equal basis now."

 

Gordon Brown described the one-time prisoner of apartheid as "the most inspiring, the greatest and most courageous leader of our generation".

 

Mr Mandela's intervention takes place amid growing concern that youths in inner cities are being drawn into gangs because they see a lack of alternatives.

 

Tony Blair caused anger among black community leaders when he used a speech shortly before his resignation to insist that a spate of fatal shootings and stabbings in London was caused by a distinct black culture rather than poverty.

 

According to Home Office figures, some 75 per cent of gun crime victims - and 79 per cent of suspects - come from the African-Caribbean community.

 

US civil rights activist the Reverend Jesse Jackson said last week that stemming the flow of guns and drugs into the UK was "critical".

 

But he echoed the thoughts of many black leaders when he said that equal importance needed to be attached to bringing ethnic communities into politics and investing in issues such as job opportunities, wage inequality, the impact of debt and day-care provision.

 

Reach, a report by 20 experts on how to tackle the issues faced by black youngsters published this month, highlighted mentoring as key measure alongside investment to prevent the creation of US-style ghettos in the inner cities.

 

Leading campaigners welcomed Mr Mandela's message. The Reverend Nims Obunge, the chief executive of the Peace Alliance, a leading campaign group against gang crime, said: "There is an African saying that it takes a whole village to raise a child. I believe he is calling on Britain's village elders to take a greater role in raising the children of our own village."

[General Duke]

Brown hails 'courageous' Mandela

 

Mr Brown paid tribute to Mr Mandela's courage

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called Nelson Mandela the "greatest and most courageous leader of our generation" as he welcomed him to Downing Street.

The former South African president is in London to witness a 9ft-high (2.7m) bronze statue of himself being unveiled in Parliament Square.

 

The pair met for private talks ahead of the unveiling on Wednesday.

 

A Downing Street aide said the pair had known each other a long time and the talks were a chance to "catch up".

 

Mr Mandela said he was proud to be inside Number 10, joking: "My wife and I are happy to be here because, as you know, this was one of our rulers, but we overthrew them.

 

"We are on an equal basis now."

[BiLaaL]

Duke, you’re full or ironies. On the one hand you tender tacit approval to the ongoing occupation of your homeland and, on the other hand, here you’re posting an article about Mandela! – a man whose life exemplifies resistance to apartheid and foreign occupation in general. You’re adoration of Mandela is misplaced, given your current stance. Mandela would see you as a traitor to your people. Not to mention an imposter!

 

Gordon Brown described Mandela as a man who was never subservient to anyone. Sadly, the same cannot be said of you. In fact, your subserviency is two-fold – you’re subservient to an illegitimate President who in turn is subservient to Zenawi. This Tigre tyrant merely plans to use both you and your illegitimate President as cannon fodder.

 

Try this guy - i'm sure you'll feel more at home with him.

[Dhagax-Tuur]

right on.