An estimated 22,000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square in February 2005, to hear Nelson Mandela call for world leaders to start making real steps to end world poverty.
In front of cheering crowds (including us at Oxfam!) he declared that: “while poverty persists, there is no true freedom.”
Earlier during the rally in support of the Make Poverty History campaign, Jamelia sang “Stop” and Bob Geldof stated: “I’m tired of the politics of being nice. I’m sick of standing in squares and linking arms. Feed the world, feed the world still.” He then introduced Mandela as the man “with the coolest shirt collection in the world,” to rapturous applause.
Mandela, now 87 and leaning on a white cane, was accompanied to the stage in front of the National Gallery by his wife Graça Machel. But despite his age, Mandela’s words were as powerful as ever.
“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is man-made,” he said. “It can be overcome and eradicated by the action of human beings. Overcoming poverty is not an act of charity. It is an act of justice.”
He called on the G8 leaders, who will meet in Scotland in July, not to “look the other way,” stating that the world was “hungry for action, not words.”
Towards the end of his speech, Mandela met eight schoolchildren from Glasgow and London, giving them each the white band that symbolises the Make Poverty History campaign. He had a strong message for our generation in fighting against the injustices of poverty, saying: “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”
In a year that could tip the balance in the global struggle against poverty, Mandela’s words are timely. The level of support for the Make Poverty History campaign among those in Trafalgar Square was overwhelming. At one point, thousands of people got out their mobiles and sent a text message saying ‘Make Poverty History’ to Tony Blair. Let’s hope he gets that message.
More on the Make Poverty History campaign >>
|
