Mandela Day

On the 11th of November 2009 the United Nations General Assembly declared the 18th of July, Nelson Mandela’s birthday, as “Nelson Mandela International Day”, an international day of activism. The UN’s decision was unanimous, with the all 165 members from regions around the world voting for the resolution.
Mandela’s global appeal cannot be put down to one characteristic or action. Having spent almost 28 years in prison, Mandela emerged to become the South Africa’s first black president and made a remarkable contribution and attained astonishing results with his policy of peace and reconciliation. His lack of bitterness over his harsh treatment, self-depreciating sense of humour and charisma make a man who inspires people across the world, and across the generations.
This day is about promoting a global movement for good. As Mandela has reminded us, “it’s in our hands” to create a better world. Mandela day serves as a reminder that an individual can make the world of difference and we take inspiration from his example to take responsibility for ourselves and to understand our responsibility to others.
Nelson Mandela spent 67 years of his life actively devoted to promoting and bringing about social change. On Mandela Day we are asked to give just 67 minutes of our time in service to our local community.

Nobel Peace Prize 2009

      Many similarities can be drawn between Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama or Mandela captured the world’s attention and given their people hope for a better future. When it was announced that Obama was to receive the 2009 Nobel Peace prize, he had been in the White house little under 10 months, it was no wonder that the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s decision was met with murmurs around the room.

       The will of Nobel states that the prize should be given to “the person or persons who in the preceding year have contributed the most for the benefit of peace.” It can be said that Obama has not yet achieved anything concrete, but it is the conviction of the committee that his efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples is extraordinary, attaching special importance to Obama's work towards a world without nuclear weapons are worthy of the honour.

      Should the committee, then, have waited to award the prize until a definitive breakthrough? Some would say so. By awarding the prize the committee aim to enhance and support what Obama is trying to achieve and to send a clear signal to the world that they wish to advocate his efforts thus far.

Happy Birthday Killy!

Happy Birthday Kill Billy. You ROCK my WORLD.

World AIDS Day

As World Aids day approaches, the virus will once again be brought to the public’s attention. It was on the 6^th of January 2005 that Nelson Mandela publically announced the death of his son Makgatho Mandela. The former President of South Africa declared that his son had ‘died of AIDS’ and in doing so he hoped to fight the stigma surrounding the disease. He mentioned to the Sunday Times that he’d also suffered problems with his pancreas. Makgatho had been receiving antiretroviral treatment for more than a year.

    Pancreatitis and gall bladder problems, caused by lactic acidosis, are a well known consequence of the ARV drug. This side-effect has almost been hidden from the public eye, due to the medication being constantly billed as ‘life-saving’ despite the potentially lethal levels of toxicity. Many newspapers even have an editorial policy to promote the sale of these drugs and to overlook any countervailing information.

    It seems ironic that Makgatho’s death was perhaps related to the very drugs that his Father campaigned for, but we must also remember the work that Nelson Mandela did and continues to do for HIV/AIDS is remarkable. He challenged the taboo that surrounds the disease and urged people to talk openly about the subject.

UN Climate Change Conference 2009

The UN summit in Copenhagen approaches and evidence shows that particular attention needs to be paid to Third World Countries. Looking specifically at Africa, scientists predict an increase of 4 degrees in temperature if drastic changes are not made. The Elders, a group formed by Nelson Mandela and made up of elder statesmen, peace activists, and human rights advocates made their position clear on the matter urging that the G8 take responsibility for the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions in our atmosphere, and commit to emission cuts of 25-40 percent by 2020 and provide the financial support to help developing countries, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable, namely Africa.

     It is thought that Africa’s agriculture will be hit hardest. The average rainfall is predicted to decline significantly in the North and South of Africa. Conversely it is expected to increase thus causing a higher risk of flooding across the East. These shifts in rainfall will inevitably lead to political problems. The continent’s major rivers are shared between a number of countries and are critical for providing water for cities, irrigated agriculture, fisheries and hydro electric power. If a decrease in rainfall occurs it would mean greater competition and a risk of conflict over resources.

BLACK IS THE NEW BLACK

French Vogue Paris Street Style. Winter rolls around and black clothing is synonymous with it-always has been and always will be.

Demarchelier for French Vogue

The trailer of Invictus

Tim Burton's Magical Fashion

In anticipation of his retrospective at New York's Museum of Modern Art, filmmaker Tim Burton reimagines the season's dark delights. Photographs by Tim Walker.From Harpers Bazaar.

 

 

SAS Hero Remembered

A statue of Talaiasi Labalaba, the legendary Fijian SAS sergeant created by Vivien Malock is to be revealed on 7^th of November on the eve of the regiment’s Remembrance Day service. The life-size piece will stand proudly at the centre of SAS Headquarters, Hereford and will be unveiled by a member of the Royal family in the presence of Labalaba’s comrades, friends and family. Malock, an Associate of the Royal Society of British Sculptors said “it’s an honour to create a sculpture of such a worthy person. He truly is a hero,” when asked about her work.

    Labalaba was recently brought to the media’s attention when Lord Guthrie spoke out against the BNP’s recent campaign. Guthrie revealed plans for the hero’s statue, naming him as “one of the greatest members of the SAS.” The Fijian trooper ran over 800 meters of exposed ground to a 25-pound gun and, though it normally took a three-man team to operate it, managed to open fire himself despite serious injuries. He died reaching for ammunition.

   Talaiasi’s actions during the Battle of Mirbat are not widely known not least because the SAS's involvement in protecting Oman’s Sultan from communist rebels was top secret. However, many campaign still for the selfless hero to receive a Posthumous Victoria Cross. An SAS soldier commented “Labalaba served with my beloved regiment and cleared the way for some of the most courageous fighting men I have had the great pleasure to call my comrades. Give this hero and the others who died in the battle of Mirbat the recognition they deserve.” The valour of men like Labalaba, one of the great Special Forces’ heroes, should never be forgotten.

Invictus

Image from IMDB

Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman as the former South Africa President Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, the South Africa team captain. This film does not lack former Oscar winners and has already been recognised as a “front runner” for several Academy Awards.

     Invictus is based on John Carlin’s book ‘Playing the Enemy’ and explores the work of Mandela after his release from prison, election as president  of a racially and economically divided South Africa and his belief that he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport.

   The movie documents the 1995 Rugby World Cup- one of the greatest moments in South Africa's sporting history and a watershed moment in the post-Apartheid nation-building process.

Invictus is due for release on December 11, 2009.