NELSON MANDELA: "USILAZIMISHE ADUI YAKO AWE ADUI YANGU"

Wakati wengi wanaonekana kusahau historia kuhusu ushirikiano kati ya Palestina na nchi za Afrika, lakini pia Palestina na nchi zote zilizokuwa katika mapambano ya kupata uhuru, mwaka 1990, aliyekuwa Rais wa Afrika Kusini, Nelson Mandela, alikaribishwa kwenye mdahalo mkubwa nchini Marekani.

Aliulizwa maswali ya mtego, lakini bila kusita, alijibu kwa kujiamini kuhusu jinsi mataifa ya Magharibi yanavyolazimisha wengine kuwa marafiki wao.

Mandela alijibu, "One of the mistakes which some political analysts make is to think that their enemies should be our enemies," akisisitiza kuwa kutofautiana kwao na kuwa na maadui wa nchi fulani haimaanishi kuwa maadui zao ni maadui wetu.

Alisema, "Our attitude towards any country is determined by the attitude of that country to our struggle." Mandela alisisitiza kuwa msimamo wao kuelekea nchi nyingine unategemea jinsi nchi hizo zinavyounga mkono harakati zao za kupigania uhuru na haki. Harakati za uhuru na haki ndizo zilizotengeneza mahusiano mazuri baina yao.

Katika mdahalo huo, Mandela aliwataja Yasser Arafat (Palestina), Colonel Gaddafi (Libya), na Fidel Castro (Cuba) kama watu ambao walitoa mchango mkubwa kuisaidia Afrika Kusini na nchi nyingi za Afrika kupata uhuru. Aliisisitiza kuwa msaada wao haukuwa wa maneno matupu, bali walitoa fedha na nguvu kazi kwa ajili ya kuwasaidia katika kupambana na vifaa vya harakati zao.

"They do not support it only in rhetoric. They are placing resources at our disposal, for us to win the struggle," Mandela alithibitisha.

Nchi zilizopokea msaada au kushirikiana na Palestina katika harakati za uhuru ni pamoja na Tanzania, Msumbiji, Afrika Kusini, Libya, Rhodesia Kusini (Zimbabwe), Angola, na nyingine nyingi.

English

While many seem to forget the history of Palestine's collaboration with African countries, as well as Palestine and all nations that were in the struggle for freedom/independence, in 1990, former South African President Nelson Mandela, shortly after his release from prison, was welcomed to a significant debate in the United States. In this forum, he faced challenging questions but responded confidently regarding how Western nations impose friendships on others.

Mandela stated, "One of the mistakes which some political analysts make is to think that their enemies should be our enemies," 

continuing to emphasize that "Our attitude towards any country is determined by the attitude of that country to our struggle." He highlighted that the diplomatic stance of South Africa was guided by the country's position on their struggle for freedom and justice.

During the debate, Mandela mentioned Yasser Arafat (Palestine), Colonel Gaddafi (Libya), and Fidel Castro (Cuba) as individuals who had supported South Africa and many African nations in their quest for freedom. He stressed that their support went beyond mere rhetoric, as they provided financial aid, manpower, and resources to assist various activist groups in ensuring the liberation of African countries.

"They do not support it only in rhetoric. They are placing resources at our disposal, for us to win the struggle," Mandela affirmed, underlining the tangible and significant contributions these leaders made to the liberation movements in Africa.

Countries that received assistance or collaborated with Palestine in the struggle for liberation include Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Libya, Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Angola, and many others.