Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Diaspora, Seán Crowe TD, attended an event organised by ANC Ireland to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday last weekend.
Crowe was invited to give a speech at the event on behalf of Sinn Féin and to discuss the internationalisation of the anti-Apartheid struggle.
You can find the speech below.
“Ba maith buiochas a ghabhail le ANC na hEireann a thabhairt don labhairt ag an ocaid seo inniu.
“It’s a great honour to be here with you tonight and once again reaffirm the strong links and connections between my party Sinn Féin and the ANC.
“Nelson Mandela turned 95 on Thursday and unfortunately he is still lying in the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria battling a lung infection.
“Staying true to his character Mandela is bravely and strongly fighting this infection. Surely it is an encouraging sign that his long freedom walk is not ended. Collectively freedom loving people around the world breathed a sigh of relief at the news in recent days that he is getting stronger and steadily improving.
“On behalf of my party Sinn Féin and Irish republicans across Ireland, I want to wish a Madiba a quick and fullsome recovery.
“Nelson Mandela is a symbol of the historic fight against Apartheid, racism and injustice.
“The struggle he represented from his prison cell resonated with people around the world and his name is known in every corner of this planet
“Nelson Mandela, during his 27 years in prison, became a symbol of hope for the majority of oppressed people in South Africa and those who laboured for freedom, equality and democracy all over the world.
“32 years ago he was, as were many young people from my generation, moved and influenced by the Irish patriot Bobby Sands who died after 66 days on hunger strike in the Hblocks of Long Kesh and sent a message of solidarity and support from his prison cell in Robben Island on the day of his funeral.
“ANC members were also in attendance in Belfast on that historic day.
“Prisoners on Robben Island were later to use the hunger strike weapon to successfully improve their prison conditions.
“I am told copy of the Irish prison struggle book, Nor Meekly Serve My Time, also holds a place of honour in Madiba’s study.
“Madiba was elected South Africa’s first black president in 1994 following free elections and the end of the brutal apartheid regime.
“His election along with his comrades in the ANC filled oppressed and freedom loving people around the world with real hope and optimism.
“The South African struggle was also an integral part of our struggle for a new world based on equality, fairness and social justice. A world where children don’t go to bed hungry and where their full potential is nurtured and fully realised.
“Growing up in Ireland and active in politics many young people of my generation were following the latest developments in South Africa and becoming more politicised and involved in supporting the anti-Apartheid struggle.
“The boycott of South Africa goods was a major tactic of anti-Apartheid protesters around the world. It started as a simple idea that everyone could understand, but more importantly for anyone who wanted to, it was a way to actively do something to take part; to fight back.
“In Ireland the Trade Unions also firmly got behind the campaign and this led to one of the most visual, vocal and successful protests in recent times: The Dunnes Stores Boycott.
“In 1984 Irish trade unions passed a motion calling on members to refuse to handle South Africa produce.
“A young Dunnes Stores checkout woman and union member, Mary Manning, then refused to handle a customer’s shopping that included South African produce. Later 11 Dunnes Stores workers went on strike with Mary for the right not to handle goods from Apartheid regime of South Africa.
“The strike lasted for two and a half years, and the strikers were feted by Bishop Desmond Tutu and international human rights groups. Nelson Mandela said that their stand and selfless bravery helped him keep going during his imprisonment.
“I remember taking part in the pickets and protests, and the solidarity that was shown with the workers and the oppressed South Africa’s was humbling and inspiring. The long days and nights were worth it when the strike and protests resulted in Ireland banning the sale of South African goods.
“Today in Johannesburg, a street is named after Mary Manning.
“When the violence and oppression of the white minority government in South Africa was at its peak, the echo of protest could be heard half a world away in Dublin’s Henry Street.
“They shared along with others the firm belief that an injustice to one is an injustice to all.
“Internationalism is important for every struggle.
“It brings recognition, allows the world to see the injustice being carried out, but it also allows a sharing of experiences and successes.
“Every struggle is different and requires different tactics and approaches but there are some similarities and lessons and techniques that can apply to many countries.
“The ANC’s struggle taught us all so much, but I think the lasting legacy and most important lesson is not about how you defeated apartheid, which comes from the word apart, but how you will build a new inclusive South Africa, a rainbow nation built on equality.
“As my party leader Gerry Adams said during our own peace negotiations:
‘Sinn Féin has productively taken the example of South Africa and, as we develop the peace process, we continue to use examples from South Africa.’
“It was the examples from South Africa that showed us how to progressively engage with those seen previously as our enemies and to establish a robust peace process that will stand the test of time.
“It was ANC comrades who went into Irish jails and outlined the potential of an inclusive peace process and how it could unlock and bring about a new beginning for everyone on the island of Ireland.
“Nelson Mandela’s autobiography sums it up best when he spoke of the situation in South Africa but could easily apply to Ireland when he said:
‘The truth is we are not free, we have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed. We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and more difficult journey.’
“In Ireland we believe that journey shared with friends is a much shorter journey.
“Let us share our walk to freedom together as we move collectively forward to a new future for all our peoples.
“Together we can learn from each other and work to achieve the changes that are necessary and have to come about, to bring about the type of freedom that our brothers and sisters, our freedom fighters lived, fought and in some cases died for.
“When Nelson Mandela was released from prison he came to Ireland in July 1990 and addressed the Dáil here in Dublin.
“He said something which still resonates with me.
He said the Irish and South Africans have ‘suffered in common and are tied together by unbreakable bonds of friendship and solidarity.’
“I believe that events like tonight enhance those bonds of friendship and can help us collectively to achieve our goals.
“Thank you again for you for your kind invitation to speak here this evening
“Happy birthday again to Madiba
“Stay strong and enjoy this day of celebration.”