Mandela's third visit

Mandela's third visit

South African President Nelson Mandela is here again for a
three-day state visit. It is his third since he was released from
jail in 1990. His frequent visits to Indonesia highlight his love
and fondness for this country and its people.

It is not easy to find the right words when one speaks about
this charismatic leader, who is the conscience of the oppressed.
He is the pride of not only his people but all of Asia and
Africa, which have fought for similar causes in the last few
decades. He is now another towering figure among the nonaligned
nations.

Mandela has a warm and colorful personality. He endured almost
three decades of imprisonment by the heartless apartheid tyrants
and suffered the most tragic ordeals to become a nationalist in
his own right.

His incarceration was made possible by western industrialists,
who invested their money in white-dominated South Africa, and who
managed to buy the influence of local political leaders to let
them enjoy all the privileges amid the oppression of the black
majority.

During this period, the so-called human rights fighters in the
advanced countries were nowhere to be seen. Many said they were
fast asleep. They were only awaken when there was a crisis in
East Timor.

But Mandela's imprisonment failed to crush his sense of
humanitarianism and nationalism. Within him lies a strength which
made the powerful white apartheid regime tumble like a house of
cards.

He is the last surviving hero of the Asian and African
struggle for independence. So his visit here, to a country which
hosted the historic Asian African conference in 1955, has
significant meaning.

Mandela is now the undisputed leader of an independent South
Africa, in which the white minority and the black majority work
hand in hand for a common goal.

In his old age Mandela has convinced the international
community that he is the leader democratic South Africa needs.

Mandela's love for Indonesian tradition is beyond comparison.
The South African leader consistently dons batik shirts in his
daily activities at home and during his visits abroad, indirectly
promoting one of Indonesia's most famous cultural products.

It is likely therefore that Indonesian batik will gain greater
popularity in Africa even though they have their own traditional
costumes. Malaysia and Singapore also produce batik, yet it is
our distinctive designs and fabric which has captured the
interest of one of the world's most famous leaders.

During his visit, Mandela hopes to find ways to boost
bilateral economic ties even though geographically Indonesia and
South Africa are far apart.

Although annual trade volume between the two countries
currently amounts to US$200 million, both countries believe it
could be increased. This could follow economic delegations
between the two countries.

Since Mandela has been briefed on the East Timor issue during
his current visit here, Jakarta expects the South African leader
to pass information on the real situation in the former
Portuguese colony to countries which are still in the dark about
the problem. Judging by his influence on the continent, we are
sure that he can render some helpful services to Indonesia
regarding this matter.