By COLlive reporter
Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, died on Thursday at the age of 95.
A controversial figure for much of his life, right-wing critics denounced him as a terrorist and communist sympathizer. He nevertheless gained international acclaim for his anti-colonial and anti-apartheid stance, having received more than 250 honors, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Soviet Order of Lenin.
When Mandela was on the run from the South African authorities in the early 1960s, one of the safe houses he used belonged to a Jewish Communist called Wolfie Kodesh, reported The Jewish Chronicle.
It was there that the great anti-apartheid leader read about other liberation struggles, among them The Revolt, Irgun head Menachem Begin‘s account of his war against the British in Palestine.
The anecdote is just one of those recalled in Jewish Memories of Mandela, a sumptuous picture book produced by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD), which documents his links with the Jewish community and its role in the defeat of apartheid.
Mandela served 27 years in prison, convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the Apartheid government.
In the years leading up to Mandela’s release there was great unrest in the country, and Jews were leaving by the thousands, recalls South African-born Rabbi Avi Rabin, today director of Chabad of West Hills in California.
During those years, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson told many leading rabbis from South Africa not to fear, as there would miracles and a peaceful transition. “We saw clearly the Rebbe’s prophetic blessing fulfilled,” Rabin said.
Mandela was released on February 11, 1990, in an event broadcast live across the world. In the following days he met with friends, activists, and press, giving a speech to 100,000 people at Johannesburg’s Soccer City.
“The Friday before he was released, every student at school was sent home with a directory of phone numbers for all the families in the school and a telephone chain system was arranged,” Rabin wrote in an article in the Jewish Journal.
“The thought was that we were not sure if there would be chaos after he was released, or if it would be peaceful. If it became a dangerous situation, then school would be canceled and each family would call the next in the phone chain to make sure everyone knew not to come to school.. Miracle of miracles, there was a peaceful transition.”
As President, he promulgated a new constitution and initiated the investigation of past human rights abuses. Continuing the former government’s liberal economic policy, his administration introduced measures to encourage land reform, combat poverty, and expand healthcare services.
He declined to run for a second term, and was succeeded by his deputy, Thabo Mbeki. Mandela subsequently became an elder statesman, focusing on charitable work in combating poverty and HIV/AIDS through the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Mandela and Israel
On Israel, Mandela’s relationship with the Jewish community was not free of controversy, JTA reports. His African National Congress cultivated close ties with the Palestine Liberation Organization and Mandela warmly embraced its leader, Yasser Arafat.
Confronted with Jewish protests, Mandela was dismissive, insisting that his relations with other countries would be determined by their attitudes toward the liberation movement.
He first visited Israel in 1999. “Israel worked very closely with the apartheid regime,” he noted. “I’ve made peace with many men who slaughtered our people like animals. Israel cooperated with the apartheid regime, but it did not participate in any atrocities.”
Mandela reiterated his unwavering opposition to Israeli control of Gaza, the West Bank, the Golan Heights and southern Lebanon. And he noted that upon his release from prison in 1990, he received invitations to visit almost every country in the world, except Israel.
South Africa was among the 33 states that voted in favor of the 1947 UN partition resolution, which led to the creation of the State of Israel. It was the 7th nation to recognize the new Jewish state.
And so did America, UK etc etc…
Look, the guy did good things, specially teaching us a lesson on forgives and did pass away on yosef’s parsha.
The truth is the truth. No saint, not good, not bad, Mandela.
For all you ignorant Americans…
Mandela did not make SA a bad place for Jews to live. We have Shuls, Chabad Houses, schools etc, and we live yiddishkiet freely. So before you jump to conclusions look at the great things he did for our country. South Africa has lost an icon. South Africa will never be the same.
RIP Madiba
Yes Mandela may have been a friend of Arafat and been hostile to Israel. But he had a right to. Israel supported the Apartheid regime.
There were so many signs in 1990’s that the blacks would take over and kill out all the whites.
However the Rebbe told Jews to remain in SA and that it would be safe. And the keli for that brocha was Mandela. he encouraged forgiveness and a peaceful transition to democracy.
Because of Mandela, Jews in South Africa live freely.
Mandela was a great man. But he was a terrible president
he said all those things about Israel for one thing the muslim vote in South Africa.
Look at cape Town they have been trying to get back control
from the Democratic Alliance by playing the Israel card.
.
he hugged arafat and called him by his first name. he spoke at a rally with him and said peacful methods to end a conflict are the tool of choice but if a people can go forward then violence has to be used. with that said the year 2000 saw the second infitada in israel.
this guy faciliatated anti semitism why is this on a jewish website or even why are shluchim praising him
But “Israel is Apartheid” was started by him and he was Arafat’s BFF…
Honestly, who cares?
He did not involve himself in acts of terror. He was fighting for the rights of his people. The world put South africa in sanctions for what they did to the blacks and minorities.He was imprisoned for fighting the government who made the unjust rules of apartheid. get your facts straight…
to # 18. I think you need educate yourself. Perhaps read Nelson Mandelas Autobiography a long walk to freedon or perhaps read the book “Playing with an enemy”. There was no bloodshed because there was no civil war. Crime Rate in South AFrica is due to the injustices of the past that did not create equal opportunity and left millions living below poverty line. The crime rate in South AFrica in not due to hate but is due to desperation and pverty as well as syndicates of crime and people wanting to make money the easy way. Please I invite… Read more »
Yes. He was a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and a critic of Israel, but not of the likes of Desmond Tutu. He praised Zionism in his book and saw it as a legitimate expression of Jewish nationalism and self-determination that he wanted for his own people.. He openly admired Jews and many of his supporters were Jews. He thought that, because of their history, Jews were more sensitive to racism. The missive that went out under his name attacking Zionism was actually written and sent out by a Palestinian activist, Arjan el Fassed. Mandela never equated Israel with… Read more »
Terrorism is not “doing nothing wrong”.
Really?!…….the MOST anti Israel person??
Madiba saved south africa and he deserves the credit for it!
UPLOADER HAS MADE THIS VIDEO UNAVAILABLE IN MY COUNTRY AND I WOULD LIKE TO WATCH IT!
to # 9 – can someone please take this person to a holocaust museum to show them what a “righteous goy” is. Mandela advocated peace & so there was no bloodshed when he was released but..what forgiveness?? . SA has the highest murder rate in the world; the vast majority of blacks still live in abject poverty.They were paying R5 a month all their lives in the promise that when a black govt came in the’d own a house… whites live behind electrified fences; people are attacked all day long… read the local papers – at least present the facts… Read more »
Moshiach please come now. When will all of this madness stop? Have we not seen enough tragedy!!
He united a divided country when the whole world thought there would be bloodshed. He brought peace into the hearts of South AFricans, taught the world the meaning of the word forgiveness. He was a a great leader.
He gave moral and other support to the PLO and other anti Israel and antisemitic causes!
a true hero who loved arafat
Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary who was imprisoned and then became a politician who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalized racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation.
This amazing human did soooo much for humanity – to guide all his followers to imbue the world with only love, peace, & acceptance of all. As an ex-South African, the meaning of living in a world of peace and freedom comes across very strong for the way we now live in America. This true Hero did so much good for his country to help bring about peace & freedom; as well as having wonderful ties with the Jewry of South Africa. Yasher Koach to COLlive for putting up this article. There are other places in this world besides only… Read more »
“Yasser Arafat was one of the outstanding freedom fighters of this generation, one who gave his entire life to the cause of the Palestinian people,” said Mandela, who met Arafat numerous times over the years.
How can you consider him peaceful!?
“We consider ourselves to be comrades in arms to the Palestinian Arabs in their struggle or the liberation of Palestine. There is not a single citizen in South Africa who is not ready to stand by his Palestinian brothers in their legitimate fight against the Zionist racists…”….Mandela
We can learn from a man like this. Someone who was imprisoned for 27 years for doing nothing wrong, came out and made peace with those that oppressed him. he brought about such a postive change. The jewish community had a close connection to him throughout his struggle and long walk to freedom. would definetly call him a righteous gentil.
Let’s not forget that
Maybe we should heed the commandment of lo sechanem. The man tried to blow up a train when he was younger.
He supported an arch terrorist, Arafat y”sv. unless Arafat is also a god person.
why is this article here? He was anti Israel and called on his followers to boycott!!! so he was nice and said Israel supported the apartheid regime but did not kill anyone so israel is sort of ok????. so nice of him eh? i am sorry this tribute should not be here as he was not a friend of ours. South Africa voted for a jewish state but it was not with Mandela at the helm
Mr. Mandela was and continues to be a source of inspiration to us all. For all who knew of his greatness is sure to have the utmost respect for Mr. Mandela for his profoundness and great accomplishments.
A man who’s live was devoted to his country , and who never did anything for personal gain but simply because it had to be done .
( In his spirit , and the spirit of peacefulness, please can we keep the comments peacefull and positive )
So why is this posted here?
was he a good person?