Mandela reminds us that Gandhi’s Non-Violent fashions are always in style.
The 88-year-old statesman was addressing a conference, through a satellite link from South Africa, to mark the centenary of Gandhi’s “satyagraha” or non-violent movement which began in Johannesburg on Sept 11, 1906, where Gandhi was practicing law. Gandhi lived in South Africa from 1893 to 1914, where he was an active and high profile political activist.
Referring to him as “the sacred warrior,” Mandela said the Mahatma combined ethics and morality with a steely resolve that refused to compromise with the oppressor, the British Empire.
“In a world driven by violence and strife, Gandhi’s message of peace and non-violence holds the key to human survival in the 21st century, said Mandela.
“He rightly believed in the efficacy of pitting the sole force of the satyagraha against the brute force of the oppressor and in effect converting the oppressor to the right and moral point.”
Seriously, every single day I pray for a world that moves in this direction. Every day I try to move in this direction myself. May we all be motivated by peace, regardless of our party affiliation or any other self-identification.
