The Nelson Mandela Foundation recently hosted a tribute for American activist, ambassador and politician Andrew J Young, an event that highlighted the support of the American public and the deep sense of kinship they felt for South Africans in their fight against apartheid.
The event – attended by Mayor of Atlanta Kasim Reed; Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe; CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation Sello Hatang; former President of South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe; ANC Treasurer General and former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize; Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor; Advocate George Bizos; as well as numerous South African government officials, business leaders and activists – took place during Young’s "South Africa Heritage Tour".
Radebe praised Young's work in fighting global injustice, saying: "As human beings, we are less appreciative of the giants that walk among us and choose to appreciate them when they have been called to eternal rest. I am honoured today to pay tribute to an icon in his own right, a colossus and a legend who has inspired the global struggle for justice. Wherever [Andrew Young] goes, he brings hope and raises the spirit of no surrender against injustice."
The programme also included the screening of a video (view below) created in honour of Young, featuring Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Advocate Bizos, among many others, who paid tribute to and thanked Young for his contributions to the anti-apartheid movement.
Ambassador Young concluded the event by sharing some reflections on South Africa. "While you look at everything that goes wrong, I see wonderful people in this country who do wonderful things," he said.
He relayed memories of prominent South Africans, including students and young leaders who had returned to South Africa from the United States in order to contribute to the country.
On one of his many trips to South Africa, Young visited Robert Sobukwe in Kimberley in the 1960s and offered his support. While Sobukwe declined the help, Young did host Sobukwe’s children in the US while they studied there.