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.