World Vision mourns the passing of Nelson Mandela

Friday, December 6, 2013

It is with great sadness that World Vision Australia heard today of the passing of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela – civil rights leader, statesman, campaigner against poverty, and committed advocate for child health and education.

The global community has lost a beacon of justice and a noble humanitarian, but the historical legacy he leaves behind will no doubt continue to grow through the work of his foundation.

World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello said Mandela was one of the few people whose commitment to justice reverberated the world over, and who proved great change can be achieved through the dedication and grace of a single person.

“Nelson Mandela showed us that the extraordinary can happen,” Mr Costello said. “Everyone believed it impossible for South Africa to break from apartheid without bloodshed – a huge amount of bloodshed – yet after years of struggle Mandela led his people from oppression to equality, and his nation from shame to dignity.”

Mr Costello said Mandela’s life and influence spoke to both the strength of his character, and his dedication to humanity, compassion and love.

“This man’s ability to forgive, and to reach out to whites after decades of black oppression was a miracle in our lifetime,” Mr Costello said. “Nelson Mandela is one of the twentieth century’s great symbols of hope.”

Even 27 years of imprisonment – including 18 years on notorious Robben Island – could not diminish Mandela’s spirit.

“It was a tribute to Mandela’s depth of character that he turned a barbarous prison into a school room where he taught other prisoners. He showed the darkest place, depending on your response, can be a place of light and learning.”

World Vision is proud to continue its work in South Africa and more than 90 other countries improving the lives of children, in the hope they too will have the kind of future for which Nelson Mandela fought so hard.

Find out more about World Vision’s work in South Africa here:http://www.worldvision.co.za/

To donate to World Vision please call 13 32 40 or go to www.worldvision.com.au

Media Releases, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Human Rights, Humanitarian, Nelson Mandela, Tim Costello, World Vision

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