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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
FOURTEEN students from seven schools in Qatar were enlightened about the late South African anti-apartheid revolutionary Nelson Mandela (Madiba). The event was part of a series of activities organised to celebrate 100 years of the icon.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune, South African Ambassador to Qatar HE Faizel Moosa said,"Nelson Mandela would have been 100 years this year and it's a way of acknowledging the role that he played, firstly for South Africans in terms of transition from being an apartheid state to a democratic state, and also to highlight the values that he left behind for us to go and hold the future."
Moosa said that he served the revolutionary leader from 1990 to 1994. According to the ambassador, he was responsible for Mandela's security details.
The envoy said the South African Embassy had done an art competition with the schools previously, adding that"the school principals and headmasters were really willing to send these students to the event."
Talking about how the event would impact the students, the ambassador said,"I think it is important to understand the role that he played in the South African context to ensure that we don't move from an apartheid state to anarchy because we were very close at times to fall back into civil war."
The ambassador said that Mandela taught them that in the midst of issues they should sit around the table and negotiate the way through to a peaceful resolution."We must continually keep the door open to talk. That's the moral high ground that Madiba left us that no matter how dire you think the situation is, as long as you communicate there is still a chance," he said.
In connection with 100 years of Nelson Mandela, South African embassy has organised a series of events, including the national day celebrations, which is officially on April 27 but the day will be celebrated in Qatar on April 29.
On Thursday, a renowned band from South Africa will perform.
"We have also brought a well-known South African fashion designer to showcase some of the works that he has done," the ambassador said.
(PHOTOGRAPH BY JALAL PATHIYOOR)
