Aremu Urges South African Leaders To Uphold Nelson Mandela's Legacy

The director general of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, Comrade Issa Aremu, has called on South African leaders to uphold the enduring ideals of the late Nelson Mandela by promoting tolerance, reconciliation, Pan-Africanism and respect for human dignity. He also urged them to bring an end to recurring xenophobic attacks in the country. Aremu made the call in a statement commemorating the 2026 Nelson Mandela Day, observed globally on July 18. He said Mandela’s leadership laid the foundation for South Africa’s peaceful democratic transition after decades of apartheid through tolerance, forgiveness and inclusive governance. According to him, true leadership is defined not by domination but by the ability to unite people across political, ethnic and ideological divides. He described the recent attacks on undocumented immigrants in South Africa as a betrayal of Mandela’s legacy, stressing that the late anti-apartheid leader demonstrated that lasting peace and national development could only be achieved through dialogue, inclusiveness and Pan-African solidarity. Aremu noted that despite spending 27 years in prison, Mandela chose forgiveness over revenge by extending reconciliation to his former adversaries in the interest of nation-building. He added that the former South African president’s example remained a timeless lesson for leaders to place the collective good above personal grievances and political differences. Aremu also urged South African leaders to emulate Nigeria’s diplomatic approach, noting that President Bola Tinubu has refrained from retaliatory measures that could further destabilise the African continent. “Today offers another opportunity for South African leadership to apologise to all victims of criminal xenophobic attacks,” he said. He urged African leaders to embrace Mandela’s vision of a united and prosperous continent built on cooperation, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.