The United Nations General Assembly in 2009 proclaimed Nelson Mandela’s birthday, 18 July, as Mandela Day to commemorate the late South African president’s contributions to the anti-apartheid struggle.

The day calls on individuals around the world to spend 67 minutes in the service of others ― providing food, education, shelter and volunteer work ― symbolizing the 67 years Mandela devoted to humanity.

“Becoming part of the international Mandela Day movement requires an action that helps improve the lives of people in need,” South African Ambassador Nozuko Gloria Bam told The Korea Herald.

“To ensure that the service has lasting benefits, participants should strive for physical changes in communities, as well as instill hope in people to take charge of their destinies and circumstances.”

She added that the cumulative actions of people, step by step, could become a transformative movement.

The Korea Herald spoke to the new ambassador to Korea about Mandela’s role in transforming South Africa from a country ruled by apartheid to a democratic global player; lessons Korea can take from his life to promote peace and harmony; and impending bilateral issues. 

The Korea Herald: Describe, from your perspective and experience as a diplomat, Mandela’s achievements for South Africa and the world.

Nozuko Gloria Bam: Twenty-one years ago, on 27 April 1994, South Africans of all races and creeds took to the polls to cast aside centuries of discrimination and oppression and build a new society based on freedom and democracy.

This historic election was an epochal moment marking the end of apartheid rule, and paved the way for a united and nondiscriminatory society. It ushered in a new era of peace and progress which had an impact across South Africa and into the continent’s hinterlands.

In his inaugural address in Pretoria on May 9, 1994, Mandela declared, “Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will experience the oppression of one by another.”

He added, “We enter into a covenant that we shall build a society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without and fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity ― a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.”

Mandela transformed South Africa by forsaking bloodshed and violence, forged democracy through institutions and empowerment of blacks, and bolstered our international engagement.

His sacrifice, activism and leadership earned him the reputation of a benevolent negotiator and quintessential peacemaker around the world.

To some, Mandela was a powerful negotiator, having an indubitable moral authority and a firm sense of fairness. In 1993, he won the Nobel Peace Prize, which he shared with former South African President Frederik Willem de Klerk.

Mandela united the country’s different races and fragmented government, which had preferentially served the interests of the white population. He also established the new democratic constitution that became the envy of the world.

Mandela stood tall and proud in defense of Africa. He was unrestrained in embracing the African National Congress’s former allies, including the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and late Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat, despite American criticisms.

He promoted peace and forgiveness through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission established in 1995, and endorsed reconciliation through racially unsegregated sporting events.

He also supported charity extensively through the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the HIV-AIDS initiative “46664,” named after his prison number.

After stepping down from the presidency in 1999, Mandela acted as a middleman in crisis-hit areas, such as Burundi and Congo. In 2007, Mandela, his wife Graca Machel and Archbishop Desmond Tutu convened meetings of world leaders to solve global problems and ease human suffering.

Thanks to Mandela’s lifelong contributions, South Africa is now firmly integrated into the global community as a responsible stakeholder.

Domestically, our country has steadily moved toward a humane society that is free, united in diversity and bountiful in opportunities for everyone. Our government has provided basic services, education and housing to many of our citizens.



KH: What problems does South Africa face, and what is the government doing to solve them?

Bam: While South Africa has made remarkable advances, the problems of poverty, inequality and unemployment have been exacerbated by the global economic slump. Our country still experiences socioeconomic disparities, which are serious by international standards.

Solving these challenges has become the main focus of our government. By working together with business, labor and society, we are determined to improve our economy and democracy.

Our government has prioritized nine areas for economic growth and job creation: energy, agriculture, mineral extraction, industrial development, private investment, mitigation of workplace conflicts, promotion of small enterprises and rural cooperatives, infrastructure investment and implementation of the National Development Plan.

The NDP aims to promote Operation Phakisa, which targets maritime shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, mining, oil and gas, biotechnology and tourism.



KH: Mandela served 27 years in prison, but he advocated forgiveness. What was his vision of “justice?” Did his vision encompass retributive justice or wholehearted reconciliation?

Bam: Mandela’s admirable accomplishment is his personal triumph over vengeful will as well as public leadership in reconciling a bitterly divided society.

He was determined to not let the past anguish determine the future actions and laws. He came out of the Robben Island prison in 1990 after a 27-year imprisonment as a gentle soul, and graciously embraced his former enemies. He went through a complete identity transformation through his ordeals.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission he established investigated historic human rights violations and gave a vent to grievances. He granted amnesty to those who testified. He championed reconciliation among races, and espoused the principles of nation-building and cooperative governance.



KH: What lessons can Korea learn from Mandela’s achievements to bridge social, cultural and ideological divides as part of its multicultural transition?

Bam: South Africa had a long history of white colonialism and repression, which generated hatred and conflict among ethnic groups. Apartheid had hampered any sense of a shared national identity among the different groups, as they all had such differing experiences and perceptions of that part of history.

Therefore, creating a new democratic identity was central to Mandela’s new government. The constitution, reconciliatory politics and grassroots activism consciously promoted a new national identity.

Firstly, our government introduced a new constitution in 1999 to heal past wounds and establish social justice, human rights and the rule of law. The document allowed the freedom of association, language and religion, and included a bill of rights for allaying ethnic tensions.

Secondly, the government created affirmative action packages designed to support disadvantaged groups and eradicate structural discrimination installed by the apartheid government.

Thirdly, the government was reformed for national unity by constitutionally incorporating power-sharing mechanisms. This has prevented particular ethnic groups from dominating politics and society, and was supported across social strata.

Fourthly, the constitution reorganized administrative jurisdictions to equally distribute power and deescalate conflict. Nine provinces replaced the four provinces from the apartheid era.

Fifthly, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu helped heal the wounds and inculcated accountability and transparency in public life.

Sixthly, the government introduced the Reconstruction and Development Program to tackle economic inequalities, allowing equal business access for disadvantaged groups and blacks.



KH: What can East Asia take from Mandela’s legacy to achieve regional cooperation and historic reconciliation?

Bam: Mandela said, “Reconciliation and nation-building would remain pious words if they were not premised on a concerted effort to remove the real roots of past conflict and injustice.”

His principles of perseverance, humanity and forgiveness did not just inspire South Africa, but countries far and wide. Dialogue and cooperation were fundamental values Mandela used to steer the country through crises.

Cooperation between countries and communities is commensurate with the level of trust. Trust is critical for lasting peace. The Korean government’s Trust-building Process and the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative are good examples, as they aim for regional cooperation in and around the Korean Peninsula.

On the Korea-Japan issue, the two countries can breach their differences through frank dialogue, as it had enabled South Africans to overcome their painful past of discrimination and brutality.

On the inter-Korean front, the South Korean government can reach out to North Korea and encourage dialogue, as late President Kim Dae-jung took extra steps to normalize the relations.



KH: What are the impending issues in the South Africa-Korea relations in terms of diplomacy and economy? What progress has been made and what opportunities remain?

Bam: Dec. 1 of this year marks the 23rd anniversary of the establishment of official ties between South Africa and Korea. Over the past two decades, our two countries have enjoyed excellent political and economic relations, which can be further strengthened.

Indicative of our deepening ties, the Policy Consultative Forum was elevated to a Joint Cooperation Council, co-chaired by the two Foreign Ministers.

On Oct. 17 last year, the eighth Policy Consultative Forum was held in Seoul, serving as a platform for enhanced cooperation in energy, science and technology, trade and investment as well as regional issues.

Trade and investment are the backbone of our relations, with considerable room for expanding and diversifying. South Africa is well-positioned to export products in mining, automotive, agro-processing, textile, jewelry, chemical, cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors. Korean investment would create employment for South Africans.

Our country is learning from Korea’s development experience, particularly the Saemaul Undong rural development movement. We want to apply the principles to our country by incorporating them into our “Ubuntu” philosophy that valorizes humanity and compassion.

Our embassy also strives to boost cultural, educational and tourism exchanges. South Africa Women’s Day will be held on Aug. 9 to pay homage to our women who fought tirelessly against apartheid. A film festival will be held in October to promote South African art and culture.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)