Are there peace at last?

Nelson Mandela dedicated his whole life to fight against Apartheid in South Africa from approximately 1948 to 1994. Even though he spent nearly half of his life or 30 years in prison, he held his head high, and did not give upon the idea that freedom cannot be achieved through fighting and violence. But only through peace.

In one of his many famous speeches he said: “During my lifetime I have dedicated my life to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal for which I hope to live for and to achieve. But, my Lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” 
Even though Apartheid was abolished and the “afrikaners” got equal rights- did Mandela achieve his goal?

It’s sad to admit it, but the answer is no. Mandela, ANC and the opponents of Apartheid managed to obtain a society with equal rights for both blacks and whites in South Africa, but there are not harmony yet. The African people still have deep scars and wounds after they were treated so badly during the Apartheid regime. Many are filled with hatred for family and friends who was killed, and after being suppressed for so many years, that they are not willing to forgive yet.

After we watched the documentary “Reggie Yates in South-Africa” in class, we saw that South Africa is a country with a lot of racism and racial segregation. But the circle has turned; there are black domination. It is very hard for whites to get jobs in South Africa, many whites live on the streets, and in white slums. This is not a good outcome nor development, if South Africa is going to be “a free society in which all people live together in harmony and with equal opportunities”.

I believe that if the African people is willing to forgive and go on, the people of South Africa will be able to achieve Nelson Mandela’s goal. If they keep going in the direction they are headed the blacks and whites will not be able live side by side in harmony in the future.

-Hannah