Category Archives: Politics

The Life And Times of Nelson Mandela

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“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

The people at Ad-Rank were greatly saddened by the passing of Nelson Mandela. His struggle is a true inspiration to us all, having spent 27 years in prison, Mandela emerged from prison as a leader of men who would inevitably take down the apartheid regime and become the first black president of South Africa.

Mandela’s story is a fascinating one that everyone can learn from. Despite terrible treatment, Mandela never treated racism with racism. His dedication to equality, democracy and education will no doubt cement him as one of, if not the most important figures in modern history.

His struggle has undoubtedly made the world a better place, and for this we are forever indebted. Being such an important historic character, we thought it would be a great opportunity to create an infographic to highlight his amazing life story.

mandela-infographic

Nelson Mandela Dies Aged 95: His Greatest Quotes

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Nelson Mandela, quote, quotes, death

Credit: Wikipedia Commons

Nelson Mandela was an eloquent, humble man who led South Africa from apartheid to democracy. An inspirational figure who fought for democracy, human rights and peace, here Frost pays tribute to him with his greatest quotes. Rest In Peace Mandela.

“One day I will be the first black president of South Africa.” In 1952

“Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.”

“I can’t help it if the ladies take note of me; I am not going to protest.”

“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”

“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”

“Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts.”

“Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world.” On oppression in South Africa.

“I cannot and will not give any undertaking at a time when I, and you, the people, are not free. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated.”

“Those who conduct themselves with morality, integrity and consistency need not fear the forces of inhumanity and cruelty.”

“In South Africa, to be poor and black was normal, to be poor and white was a tragedy.”

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. I felt fear myself more times than I can remember, but I hid it behind a mask of boldness. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”

“I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.”

“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

“I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.”

“During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

“There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountain tops of our desires.”
– 21 September 1953. Presidential address to ANC conference.

“I have never regarded any man as my superior, either in my life outside or inside prison.”

“If I had my time over I would do the same again. So would any man who dares call himself a man.”

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

“The struggle is my life. I will continue fighting for freedom until the end of my days.”

“Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.”

“Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.” In a letter to his wife, Winnie Mandela.

“It would be very egotistical of me to say how I would like to be remembered. I’d leave that entirely to South Africans. I would just like a simple stone on which is written ‘Mandela’.”

“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”

“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”

“Between the anvil of united mass action and the hammer of the armed struggle we shall crush apartheid and white minority racist rule.”

“It always seems impossible until its done.”

“There will be life after Mandela. On my last day I want to know that those who remain behind will say: ‘The man who lies here has done his duty for his country and his people.'”

Mother Hosts Feminism Debate With Lorraine Candy, MP Jo Swinson and Ruby Tandoe

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feminismOn Monday 18 November, Mother London will host a debate about modern feminism. Equalities Minister Jo Swinson and Ruby Tandoe will join a panel hosted by ELLE editor Lorraine Candy to discuss the topic “Does feminism need a rebrand?” They will be joined by Laura Jordan Bambach, President of D&AD; Kat Banyard, UK Feminista; Ikarama Larasi, Rewind & Reframe and Holly Armstrong & Rhiannon Wlliams, Vagenda.

Following the recent success of ELLE and Mother’s www.makethempay.co.uk equal pay campaign, the panel will also address the issue of the pay gap, which is currently 17.5% in the UK.

Using www.makethempay.co.uk, employees can compare their pay to colleagues of a different sex and encourage their employers to sign up to the Think, Act Report, which encourages businesses to enforce equal pay legislation.

DOES FEMINISM NEED A REBRAND?

THE DEBATE

Chaired by Lorraine Candy ELLE Editor-in-Chief

Performance by Sara Pascoe

Speakers

Jo Swinson, Women and Equalities Minister

Laura Jordan Bambach, President D&AD

Ruby Tandoh, The Great British Bake-off

Kat Banyard, UK Feminista

Ikarama Larasi, Rewind & Reframe

Holly Armstrong & Rhiannon Wlliams, Vagenda

6.30-9pm Monday 18 November

Mother London, 10 Redchurch Street, E2 7DD

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Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines: Eye Witness Report

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Typhoon Haiyan, phillipines, Aid worker, Sandra Bulling, CARE International, is with CARE’s Emergency Team in the areas affected by the Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Nov. 11, 2013, 19:00 local time

 

“We arrived by boat at the port in Ormoc City. As soon as we stepped onto the port, we were in the middle of a disaster zone. Everything was destroyed. Tin roofing sheets were hanging off trees like wet blankets.

 

“All the houses along the coast are completely flattened. Everything is destroyed. Further inland, about 80 percent of the houses are roofless. About five percent of the houses are completely collapsed – these are mainly wooden houses. It seems like everyone we’ve seen has a hammer or tools in their hands, trying to repair their houses and their roofs. People are picking up poles and pieces of wood from the street. There are long queues at hardware stores, pharmacies. We waited in line for two hours to get fuel. So far the roads are okay, but it’s taking a long time to get anywhere.

 

“I talked to a shop owner whose shop was destroyed; he lost everything. He’s wondering how he’s going to feed his five children. I also met a little girl, who was trying to dry out her books. Her house was totally destroyed, but there she was, worried about her school books, because she wants to go to school. And it’s the only thing she has left.

 

“We just arrived in Jaro, a small town on the way to Tacloban. It’s dark now, so we can’t go any further. We’re staying in the police station tonight – not sure where we’ll sleep, maybe in the car, or outside. There’s an electricity pole that’s leaning dangerously over the police station, so everyone is trying to steer clear of that. Thank  you to the police for letting us use their toilets! Our plan is to go to Dulag, just south of Tacloban. Our driver just came from there, and says it’s very bad, and they need help.

 

“People are becoming quite desperate. Some officials just came and told us that there has been looting in the area, people trying to get rice for their families. People haven’t had food for three days, and they’re trying to feed their families. That’s why it’s so important to get food and emergency supplies in to these areas as soon as possible. In Ormoc, there was food; we could buy chicken and rice. But there were big queues at the food stalls and shops. We’re in an urban area now, and I don’t even want to think what it’s like the rural areas. We’ll start moving again at first light. I don’t think anyone is going to get any sleep tonight.”

 

Russia: Disclose Whereabouts of Missing Pussy Riot Member. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova Still Missing

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Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Pussy Riots, Russia, missingConcern grows for missing Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova.

Amnesty International has condemned the continuing refusal to disclose the whereabouts of a member of the Russian punk group Pussy Riot, who is rumoured to be in transfer to a prison colony in Siberia, saying it is clearly yet another attempt to silence her.

Denis Krivosheev Europe and Central Asia Deputy Director at Amnesty International said:
“Nadezhda Tolokonnikova has publicly complained of threats she received from prison officials. We are concerned that she now may be being punished for this and for speaking out about deplorable prison conditions.

“The Russian authorities must immediately tell her family where she is and allow her access to a lawyer. She is a prisoner of conscience who should have never been taken to jail in the first place. Refusing to say where she is simply fuels rumours of the worst case scenario.
“If reports are true, transferring her to a prison colony thousands of kilometres from Moscow would make it almost impossible for her relatives and lawyers to see her. This would be a violation of her human rights and of Russia’s own laws.”

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova’s whereabouts have been unknown since 22 October when she was reportedly taken from the penal colony where she was serving a two-year prison sentence. It is believed she is being transferred to another place, but the destination has not been revealed.
Her husband has now said a penitentiary administration source informed him of the possible move to a prison colony in Siberia.

Amnesty has made Nadezhda Tolokonnikova the subject of an urgent action campaign, calling on the authorities in Russia to disclose her location immediately.

Jemima Khan, Ewan McGregor & Robbie Turn Out at UNICEF UK Halloween Ball to Help Children of Syria

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Long-standing UNICEF Ambassadors Jemima Khan, Ewan McGregor and Robbie Williams were among guests at UNICEF UK’s star–studded Halloween Ball, raising vital funds for UNICEF’s work helping the children of Syria. The event raised an amazing £1million, made possible by the UK Government matching all donations on the night pound for pound.

UNICEF UK Ambassador, Jemima Khan said, “For over two years, the children of Syria have been witnessing and experiencing one horror after another. I have seen UNICEF’s work in emergencies all over the World. They work tirelessly to reach every child, but they cannot do it alone and the need has never been so urgent, particularly with winter approaching. We hope to raise vital funds tonight at The Halloween Ball this evening for the children of Syria and I am very grateful to the UK government who have pledged to match pound for pound everything we raise.”

UNICEF UK Halloween Ball UNICEF UK Halloween Ball UNICEF UK Halloween Ball

 

High-profile personalities from the worlds of entertainment, fashion and business,turned out at London’s iconic venue, One Mayfair, in fancy dress to support UNICEF’s work to help children caught up in the Syria crisis. More than four million Syrian children, one million of whom are refugees, are in urgent need of aid.

 

UNICEF UK Ambassador Robbie Williams gave an electrifying exclusive performance, with fellow Ambassador Ewan McGregor joining him on stage for a surprise rendition of the all time classic, Angels.

 

Throughout the evening, guests were treated to an immersive theatre extravaganza from Look Left Look Right in the crypt of the former church; as well as magical tricks from Drummond Money-Coutts. Isaac Ferry kick-started the DJ sets, followed by Queens of Noize DJs Tabitha Denholm and Lisa Moorish who took over the party until 2.00am. The whole venue was scented by Jo Malone London.

 

UNICEF UK Executive Director, David Bull said: “Many children caught up in the current Syria crisis have been killed, maimed, orphaned, displaced, witnessed violence and lost their family members and friends; the need is desperate. We are so grateful for the fantastic support that all of our guests at the first ever UNICEF UK Halloween Ball have shown this evening, and to the UK Government for matching pound for pound all donations made from tonight, and over the next three months, to UNICEF’s work for Syria’s children.”

 

Tonight’s match funding is part of the UK Government’s wider support for UNICEF’s work helping the children of Syria in what is currently the largest humanitarian operation in history. Over the next three months the UK Government will match pound for pound all public donations made to UNICEF’s work for the children of Syria.

 

UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organisation, is working on the ground to provide water, education, medicine and psychological support inside Syria and for refugee children in five neighbouring countries. But the numbers are only getting bigger and lack of funding means UNICEF cannot reach every child in need.

 

UNICEF UK Ambassador, Ewan McGregor said: “As it stands today, there are more than one million child refugees and more than three million children needing urgent help inside Syria; the situation for them is critical. UNICEF is working day and night to provide clean water, vaccinations, education, and psychological support to those children. However, the essential supplies are running low; the Halloween Ball will play a very important role in raising the vital missing funds UNICEF needs to reach every child.”

 

UNICEF is the first great charity that the UK Government plans to support with match funding to help the children of Syria this winter.

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said, “Syria’s people are experiencing unimaginable hardship with millions of children in particular facing a bleak and uncertain future. The UK has already committed its largest ever humanitarian response to the crisis and we are now teaming up with UNICEF to double the power of donations from the British public. Our partnership with UNICEF means that donations to UNICEF’s appeal for the children of Syria will be matched pound for pound by the UK Government.”

 

Text ‘SYRIA’ to 70007 to donate £5 to help UNICEF reach even more children in desperate need.

Russell Brand Says We Shouldn’t Vote. Is He Right?

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In this weeks New Statesman Russell Brand edits and rights a lengthy piece. Yes, that Russell Brand. He says he did it because a beautiful woman asked him (That would be Jemima Khan, his rumoured girlfriend). For his theme he chose revolution  ‘because the New Statesman is a political magazine and imagining the overthrow of the current political system is the only way I can be enthused about politics.’ He goes on to say;

 

When people talk about politics within the existing Westminster framework I feel a dull thud in my stomach and my eyes involuntarily glaze. Like when I’m conversing and the subject changes from me and moves on to another topic. I try to remain engaged but behind my eyes I am adrift in immediate nostalgia; “How happy I was earlier in this chat,” I instantly think.

I have never voted. Like most people I am utterly disenchanted by politics. Like most people I regard politicians as frauds and liars and the current political system as nothing more than a bureaucratic means for furthering the augmentation and advantages of economic elites. Billy Connolly said: “Don’t vote, it encourages them,” and, “The desire to be a politician should bar you for life from ever being one.”

 

I don’t vote because to me it seems like a tacit act of compliance;

 

To be fair he does have a point. It is not possible to look at politics and not find something to be upset about. But his piece is hard to read and long winded. More about Russell Brand than the state of politics and what should be done. One feels he chose the theme of revolution because he could not make a logical and informed argument about any other aspect of politics. Just tear it down instead, eh, Russell?

Should Brand stick to the entertainment industry?

Should Brand stick to the entertainment industry?

Brand goes on to say “We have succumbed to an ideology that is 100 per cent corrupt and must be overthrown”. Really? What country does he think this is? Italy?

He even mentions that the London riots were political. They may have started that way briefly but they were more about the need for a new TV in the end.

Being a politician is a hard job. To try and make this world a better place (and plenty of politicians do try) is much harder than being a comedian/actor/whatever. Russel Brands stream of consciousness in The New Statesman reminds me of a teenager who just became angry with the world. What, I think we should ask, did Russell Brand ever do for us? Because I know what politicians do; they get up everyday and they work a proper job. Some of them do it for the right reasons, some of them do it for the wrong ones, some start off good and become corrupt, but so far so the same as every other industry/establishment. I guess what really riled me about Brand’s essay of nothing is this: I have worked in politics. I interned for Zac Goldsmith, I campaigned for Tamsin Omond (her own party, The Commons) and Suzanne Moore (Independent). Both Tamsin and Suzanne would have been great and made a difference. Zac got elected and is doing well in Parliament. (On a separate note, Zac is the brother of Jemima Khan. Small world)

I campaigned for pretty much everyone at the last election apart from the Liberal Democrats, who in my opinion are dirty campaigners, and Labour, who did a lot of damage to the country but never seem to be brought up on it by the press or anyone else, while the Tories still pay for crimes done in the 70s/80s.

I don’t promise to be loyal to a political party as they can all go wrong and lose their way, caring more about being reelected and individual careers than the people they represent. Russel Brand seems to be pro-riot and anarchy. More about tearing things down instead of building them up. He doesn’t offer a solution and if his ‘eyes glaze’ when people talk about politics then how informed can he actually be? Has he done his research?, does he read the newspapers? I am not so sure. I have nothing against Brand. Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek were both great, but if you don’t know anything about a subject, best to keep quiet.

It may be that there is no one to vote for, only fools to vote against. But to vote against a fool is better than to not vote at all. And if you are still thinking of siding with Brand and not voting then just remember that he was the guy who dressed up as Osama Bin Laden the day after 9/11 and went to work at MTV, who rightly fired him. That is not exactly sound judgement, is it?

 

US Shutdown no cause for panic (yet)

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The US Government has begun its first partial shutdown in 17 years, following congress’ failure to agree a budget to continue its funding.

 

The S&P 500 closed down 0.6%, whilst the US dollar fell against sterling last night, as investors digested the news.  The market’s reaction to the shutdown has been muted and suggests investors are expecting a resolution to these negotiations.

 

Adrian Lowcock, Senior investment Manager at Hargreaves Lansdown says;-“Investors have become used to political brinksmanship in the US with negotiations going to the wire but each time a resolution has been found.

These negotiations are the warm up act. The bigger issue, in around 17 days’ time, is negotiations to raise the $16.7trn US debt ceiling. Failure to raise the debt ceiling and allow the US government to continue borrowing could force the country into a default scenario which could then have more serious consequences for investors.

A US default is highly unlikely but political negotiations could create volatility in stock markets.

This doesn’t look like a selling trigger. Investors should focus on their long term goals and use any short term weakness as opportunities to invest.”

The 2011 Debt ceiling

In August 2011 a similar scenario played out.  The S&P 500 fell 19.74% from its peak in July 2011 as the S&P credit rating agency cut their top notch rating for the US and investors sold out. However by the end of the year the S&P had recovered and ended the year up 1.46%.

Chris Saint, Head of Currency Dealing, Hargreaves Lansdown “The US dollar extended its recent decline against the pound (lows of US$1.6261) after the deadline was missed. The fallout appears to have been limited by hopes that significant damage to the US economic recovery will be avoided, assuming a resolution can be agreed upon very soon.  In September we saw demand for US dollars rise 29% on the previous month.”

 

At the time of writing, the exchange rate stands at:

 

         Interbank rate                   % daily change

Sterling / US dollar                          1.6242                                           +0.37%