Emulate Mandela students told

EDUCATION 

KAMPALA - The Second Deputy Prime Minister, Kirunda Kivejinja, has urged students of Kololo Secondary School to emulate Nelson Mandela the former South Africa President who fought for justice and peace.

He said the former celebrated world icon had a greater ambition that is why he ensured human rights for both Blacks and Whites were respected.

"You must have greater ambitions like Mandela did to liberate South Africans and also work hard like him," Kivejinja told students.

 "If you have small ambitions it's a crime. You must think hard and have greater ambitions," he said.

This was during the public lecture organized by Always Be Tolerant a non- governmental Organisation to commemorate the Mandela Day at Kololo Secondary School on Thursday.

Mandela, who died in 2013, remains a global icon for his long fight against white-minority rule and for his message of peace and reconciliation when he was released after 27 years in prison.

His birthday on July 18 is marked annually around the world.

Mandela was imprisoned under white-minority apartheid rule from 1962 and 1990 before he led the African National Congress (ANC) party to victory in the first multi-race elections in 1994.

He served one term as President before stepping down in 1999.

Kivejinja who is also the minister in charge of East African Affairs told students and teachers to value education because educated people have many opportunities to serve the country and contribute to the development of the economy.

Students of Kololo Secondary School display copies of Mandela Book during the Mandela public lecture to commemorate the former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela at the school campus. Photo by Francis Emorut

The Deputy Premier criticized those who are agitating for the old men serving the government to quit positions they hold for the young generation saying they were still useful.

"I am still relevant and going nowhere. I am here to inspire you so that you have greater ambitions," the 84-year-old said.

During the function, Kivejinja laid a foundation stone for the Mandela monument in the school compound.

Moses Musana the chairman of Always Tolerant said when the monument is completed President Yoweri Museveni would be invited to unveil it.

Prof Syed Abidi of Makerere University implored students to work hard and value education just like Mandela did and quoted his remarks for them.

"Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of mine, that a child of a farm worker can become the president of a great nation." President Mandela said then.