“There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.” (Nelson Mandela). Professor Sunny, fellow students, I have the distinct honor to speak to you today about my hero. This person is one of the greatest leaders in our generation.
Despite his hard struggle to freedom under a deadly racial discrimination policy against native blacks in his beloved country , he became a president and governed his people (whites and blacks) without any difference. He worked very hard to unite his South African brothers and sisters as one people with common goals. He laid his life on the line just so justice and freedom could prevail in his country. This is a man that deserves more than compliments for his accomplishments because of his hard works. A man that is not only a brave hero, but a true patriot and an important role model to anyone with great love and passionate hearts.
My hero, His Excellency Nelson R.Mandela former South African president and 1993 Nobel Peace Prize winner as had one of the longest walks to freedom in order to free his people and his beloved country from racial discrimination. I know that Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohammad Gandhi of India did, but even they didn’t walk as far and as long as my hero. My hero suffered 28 years of imprisonment under harsh torture, but he never give up. He was beaten almost to the point of death, but he never give up his journey. He made it, became a great leader and is still alive living his dreams and inspiring others with his courage and his message. Isn’t that what true heroism is all about?
As a person whose dream is to make our world a better place for every boy and girl, this is a man who I see as my hero, a man who has never wavered in his devotion to justice, peace, and learning. His life has been an inspiration, to me, to most Africans and others citizens throughout the world, as well as, to all who are oppressed and deprived, to all who are opposed to oppression and deprivation.
My fellow classmates, as we go out of this class room, today; I challenge each one of you to cherish the pride and beauty of your country. Walk that walk like Mandela, if it means to unite your brothers and sisters. I also encourage you to take courage and pride to be like my hero and be able to say what he said, “…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, which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if it needs be it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”(Nelson Mandela). Professor Sunny, fellow students, my hero – Nelson Mandela.
Thank you.
