30 Years after apartheid: Reflecting on South Africa's ongoing fight for democracy

This weekend marks the 30th anniversary since the fall of South African apartheid. Since then, the young democracy has struggled to find its footing as it grapples with apartheid’s legacy and the imprint of institutionalized racism. Ali Velshi, a child of South African Indians, vividly recalls the day anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela was released from prison on February 11, 1990. In his new book ‘Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy,’ Velshi reflects on that day, writing: ‘The campaign for Mandela’s release had become a cause celebre around the world. It had also become the symbol that embodied the fate of the nation as a whole: South Africa would only be free when Mandela was free. And now, he was free.’



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#SouthAfrica #NelsonMandela #WorldNews

[peternduru]

Thank you for this Velshi. Never let us tire of reminding the world about Mandela and SA.

[calvinndallas]

I had the exact same reaction of shock to seeing the aged Mandela walking to freedom. The 1962 image of Mandela had been so ingrained in our minds that it took a moment to absorb the new image of the old warrior, but as he smiled and waved the pain of injustice gave way to the hope for change.

[sherryobar]

Thank you for this video. What an incredible man! 🙏

[-Elias-]

Ali Velshi always comes up with the best news pieces.

[matthewbaynham]

Now with the apartheid in Israel, it's South Africa who is standing up for the Palestinians in Gaza.

And how can South Africa be declared the most unequal country in the world when you have North Korea, I'm guessing whoever judged that had their own biases that they wanted to impose.

[DonaldTrump-wk]

South Africa’s breathtaking beauty resonates with a rich tapestry of cultural diversity, yet it pains me to witness in going disenfranchisement based on the color of one’s skin. Let us envision a future where South Africa shines as a beacon of democracy. Where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive, regardless of their background. Together, let’s work towards a more inclusive and just society that embraces the full spectrum of human potential.

[kdtennis]

Latino Here ( Arizona Voter). I am happy tbe black majority took over the Parliament in 1994.

The country has not had a European President since 1994.

I think the country is 80% African, 7% Coloured, 4% Asian ( mostly from India) and 9% European South African 2024.

Whites and Asians own large sectors of business in 2024!😮

[NDARYBC]

trump act like he's poor and innocent and respected as a good man...no comparison to a Nelson...

[DanielKassa-gv]

Mandela and those Egyptian's calling themselves Palestine are not the same.

[daylight]

An update for you, Ali. The whites have not been in government since 1994. The self inflicted wounds have been the work of the majority elected party that has lost it's way. This party has recognized that it is corrupt but does not know how to find it's way back to the days of Mandela and Mbeki. One can only hope that they can. The people of South Africa deserve better.

[thomasrogers]

I HAVE TRAVELED IN AFRICA AND IM TOTALLY DISGUSTED WITH THE FAILUE OF THE ANC. I WAS ALSO ENCOURAGED BY THE SUCESS OF PAUL KEGAME IN RWANDA. ITS ALL ABOUT LEADRSHIP.

[techhawk]

"But we know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians". *- Nelson Mandela*

[MrDayna]

Good commentary about South Africa, it's amazing how unjust and upside down the world was and still is in many places. At the moment a similar apartheid system is trying to be brutally enforced in Palestine.

[LittleBigMediaCo]

Modern South Africa is a more robust democracy than the US, with a constitution that provides far more rights and protections for it's citizens, from voting rights to recognition of individual choices. Mandela helped South Africa to a good start as the first democratic president, but his selflessness also set the country back, when he opted out of a second term. That opened the door for corrupt opportunists and too many 'leaders; with no or poor essential skills, to step into that void and set the country back ever since. Had Mandela stayed on for a second term, the democracy would have been more mature and ready for him to hand the baton to the next generation ... instead the country began to be looted from within and from the outside by Russia and China.

[unitedwestand]

"my VP actually endorses me for president" - President Biden

[thomasdequincey]

Did Velshi have a point here? All I heard were platitudes.

[LB-hizc]

The South African dream has become a nightmare

[lm_b]

did this dude seriously just find an opportunity to plug his book while speaking about mandela? bit narcissistic

[mikefobear]

We need leaders like Nelson Mandela in America.

[izaakvn]

The rainbow nation has been lost... fighting a different apartheid. A New power struggle in the democratic Republic and our Mandela dream has diminished. The struggle continues...