Nelson Mandela an Inspiration on Doing Politics Differently for Peace and Democracy

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was the first black South African President and the first one to be elected in a fully representative election, holding the post between 1994 and 1999. © REUTERS/Peter Andrews

Nelson Mandela showed how courageous and visionary leadership can bring peace and democracy to a bitterly divided country and serves as a continuous inspiration to politicians everywhere on how politics can be done differently, says the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

“Despite what happened to him in the apartheid years, Nelson Mandela was committed to building a new democratic South Africa that included every person, regardless of race, religion, or skin colour,” said IPU President Abdelwahad Radi.

“What made him especially remarkable was his vision and understanding that the future of South Africa lay in that inclusion. This could only be achieved through dialogue with all sides in the country. This included his oppressors.”

Sending his deepest condolences to South Africa, its people and parliament on behalf of the IPU Membership, President Radi said Nelson Mandela’s human approach to politics focusing on the overall good rather than on individual or sectarian interests, showed that politics can be done differently when there is a will.

IPU firmly advocates for political dialogue between all concerned parties as a way to resolve conflict and to build a strong democracy based on peace and respect for human rights.