Africa and Nelson Mandela

A few weeks ago Racker and I talked about a theme for the party on Saturday December 14.

Racker came with the idea to do a African party. 'I've learned that Racker knows a lot about African music and looking forward to hear his set. Last week Nelson Mandela died and Racker did send me the message that all the songs he will play, Saturday December 14, will be dedicated to Nelson Mandela.  

Today was the memorial service for Nelson Mandela.

U.S. President Barack Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro today at a memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela — an almost unprecedented moment between two deeply opposed neighbours.

I was deeply impressed by Obama's speech and specially this part:

“The struggles that follow the victory of formal equality or universal franchise may not be as filled with drama and moral clarity as those that came before, but they are no less important. For around the world today, we still see children suffering from hunger and disease. We still see run-down schools. We still see young people without prospects for the future. Around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs, and are still persecuted for what they look like, and how they worship, and who they love. That is happening today."

“And so we, too, must act on behalf of justice. We, too, must act on behalf of peace. There are too many people who happily embrace Madiba’s legacy of racial reconciliation, but passionately resist even modest reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality. There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba’s struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people. And there are too many of us on the sidelines, comfortable in complacency or cynicism when our voices must be heard.”