Tribute for Nelson Mandela

PLM salutes Nelson Mandela, the great freedom fighter, who led the struggle to smash apartheid in South Africa. The dismantling of the political institutions of the apartheid state is a historic contribution of Nelson Mandela to the struggle of the international working class movement.

Here in the Philippines, during the height of the struggle against the Marcos dictatorship in the 1980s, we were inspired by our South African comrades-in-arms and Nelson Mandela. We understood then, that our struggles were interlinked and that the stakes were high internationally, for the outcome of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. The defeat of the apartheid government, and the victory of the liberation movement in South Africa, was also our victory.

The current Chairperson of PLM had the honor of representing the Philippines movement at the first congress of the ANC after winning power, in December 1994, where he met Nelson Mandela and had discussions with the South African Communist Party comrades. We, in the Philippines movement, were thus able to participate, albeit to a small extent, in the celebration of the victory of the South African liberation movement.

Several generations of activists were inspired by the heroic sacrifices made by this great freedom fighter for the struggle against racist oppression and inequality. Nelson Mandela's life of struggle will continue to inspire generations to come.

Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM)

Party of the Laboring Masses - Philippines

http://www.masa.ph