• To my dear portuguese

As I know that there are many portuguese following my blog, take a look at this report about me. I'm very fond of Portugal, as my wife, Graça, studied there, in Lisbon. I think it is a great country and with very good and kind people. Thank you all portuguese who have been here commenting and have closely followed my posts.
Best regards, N.M.

• World Cup - South Africa 2010

The World Cup South Africa 2010 symbolized the ability of football to bring together people throughout the world, regardless of their language, their skin color and their political or religious beliefs. I would have been present at the opening ceremony of the World Cup South Africa 2010 but I couldn’t because my granddaughter Zenan died in a car crash just before the ceremony.

Although I was mourning, I went to Soccer City where the Title Game was disputed and I loved listening to all the people yelling: "Madiba! Madiba!”

• My Life's Story Tales

* A picture worths a thousand words *

• "Mandela day" - Simple Minds

In the sequence of my last post about "Mandela Day", here it is a music Simple Minds have done on this subject. I hope you like it!

• Mandela Day

Mandela Day was an event started in 2009. It was inaugurated on my birthday, 18th July. It’s not a big and fancy event, but it’s a kind of tribute to my heritage in South Africa as a free country. It’s normally organized by “Nelson Mandela Foundation” and “46664”. The number 67 is the significant number of this day, once I’ve fought for 67 years to release my country from injustice chains. This number, each year is the motto for a challenge. This year the challenge is “67 ways to change our world”. This day is remarkable and is for you, each one of you, to think of a little thing you would change in your life that could change many lives. This day is just to remember you that each day must be one more step to fulfill your dreams. 18th July is that way, a day you can reflect about how you can leave your mark in the world, and be remembered for you acts.

“Make everyday a Mandela Day”

Mandela Day link: http://www.nelsonmandela.org/mandeladay/index.html

• "Invictus" & Nelson Mandela

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.

• Madiba Shirts

Is it because of my original shirts? :)

The shirts I use are my symbol. I have always used them as an icon, a call to love and happiness! They're my formal wear, even when I was a President. I feel comfortable and peolpe see me as a person close to them, not so formal and distant, as I belonged to another status. I'm from peolpe, I'm like peolpe, and I'm for people.

Well, here's a website I found, and were you can have your shirt just like mine. This is kind of funny to me, seeing peolpe looking at me as a different but familiar man.

http://www.presidentialshirt.co.za/

• "New hands be found to lift the burden"

During the time I have been in government, I have negleted things I shouldn't have negleted. I'm sorry I didn't pay more attention to some important question that were afecting South Africe in that time. I was, of course, very proud I had reached the top of my ambitions and have finished the Apartheid system. However, not everything was good. My governtment was accused of inactivity in what concerns to AIDS fight. My government ceased its funstions in 1999, and then I realised I could have done more. Since then I've started a series of campaings against AIDS spreading and many awareness raising to collect funds to support AIDS affected peolpe. The name I gave to this "foudation" was 46664, that, as you already know was my prisoner number. This sad reality has touched me personaly too. My son, Makgatho Mandela died in 2005 with AIDS complications. I don't speak just as an international leader and personality, I speak also as a father and a relative of someone who lived close to AIDS. As we couldn't yet find the cure, it's important to provide means to countries were this illness is a big epidemic. We need to help people and act, mainly in prevention.

"New hands be found to lift the burden."

"I announce that my son has died of AIDS. Let us give publicity to HIV/AIDS and not hide it, because the only way to make it appear like a normal illness like [tuberculosis], like cancer, is always to come out and to say somebody has died because of HIV/AIDS. And people will stop regarding it as something extraordinary"

- 46664 Foundation: http://www.46664.com/

• Carnival!

Fight for freedom can't wait! Follow my steps and never give up on your dreams. Be unstoppable and tireless against those who endager Human Rights. No matter what your age, race or sex is, you have a duty to the world: helping each other and spread peace as a seed to a better understanding between nations and peolpe.

• My family is my life

I'm considered one of the most important personalities in what concerns to Democracy and Human Rights fight. The truth is that I wouldn't get to what I am today without the support and help of a big and caring family!
They were with me in every little, but marking moment of my life. I want to express here my gratitude for all they've done for me. My impossibility of being present in some of their important moments because of my political life, brought me some sorrow. I couldn't, for example, be present in my son's funeral because I was in jail.
I'm sorry for all those little fails, but I'm glad I can now say to the world that I have the best family I could have. I had 3 wives and 5 children, but only two of them are still alive. This is a small tribute to all of them, here or not, close or far away. This family made me the man I am today, and this is the way I thank them for all that. I'm a big man, but without this shinning stars encouraging me, I would be just one more lonely black hole.

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family." Anthony Brandt

• Steps to a better world

I was surfing the Internet today, and I came across this funny cartoon! It's a very light way of showing how we can fight for our dreams, but it's really a summary of what you have to do to achieve your goals, just as I did!
Always try, try hard and do not resign with the world you have. We have to keep taking democracy and equality to the ones who don't have it.
In my inauguration speech as President of South Africa, I've said: "We dedicate this day to all the heroes and heroines in this country and the rest of the world who sacrificed in many ways and surrendered their lives so that we could be free. Their dreams have become reality. Freedom is their reward. (...) We understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom. We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success. We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world. Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil themselves. Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world. Let freedom reign."
With these words I finish this reflection today. I hope you, my brothers and sisters, still fight for human race's good values.

• St. Valentine's Day ♥

Manuscript of St. Valentine's day reflection.

Here it is a litlle reflection on St. Valentine's day I've made on 2008

“It will probably shock many to discover how colossally ignorant I am about simple things the ordinary person takes for granted. Having been born and grown up in a rural environment with parents who could neither read nor write, one hardly ever heard about Valentine’s Day.
Moving to the cities one was gradually drawn into mainstream politics and there was little room for upgrading oneself with information on such issues.
Only during the last five years did I receive Valentine cards and gifts. But one must naturally develop enormous respect for those who bring happiness to others anonymously far from the limelight.
Unfortunately my tight programme does not allow me to find time to celebrate Valentine’s Day either today or in future.” – Nelson Mandela.

• Prisoner 466/64

Today marks the day I was released from prison 21 years ago!

Take a look at my political life below and celebrate with me.

• "I am the captain of my soul"

"OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul."

I hope you enjoy this poem and song *

• Health

I've been to hospital. But it was just a little scare. Everything is fine now.
Thanks to all of you who were worried about my health :)