On February 20, 1990 a historic event took place in South Africa...the Apartheid regime released Nelson Mandela from his 27 year imprisonment at Robbin Island. It was a memorable day for those of us who believe in equality, democracy and human rights. I remember the anti-apartheid campaigns that we held on campus at University and still have a framed poster from that time. And I remember seeing Archbishop Desmond Tutu speak to the assembled crowd on the lawns in front of Queen's Park. What a moving experience.
What Nelson Mandela was able to accomplish after his release, moving South Africa to a full democracy without a civil war is truly extraordinary.
In looking at some of the stories related to the release of Nelson Mandela, I came across a reference to a new documentary about another hero of mine entitled "RFK in the Land of Apartheid". This documentary follows Robert Kennedy's trip to South Africa to confront the apartheid regime. I am always moved by some of RFK's speeches such as the one he delivered in Indianapolis the night that Martin Luther King was assassinated.
The speech that RFK gave on June 6, 1966 at the University of Cape Town for the National Union of South African Students Day of Affirmation which is dubbed the "Ripple of Hope" speech is truly moving. Listen to RFK give this speech and read it. His values and perspective is just as valid today as it was in 1966.
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