A change is as good as a rest

A cheap holiday to the Greek Island of Kefolonia - famed for Captain Corelli's Mandolin was my sanctuary for a week. Eating well, swimming in the warm Mediterranean sea and reading was the day's main events.

My chosen read was Anthony Sampson's brilliant biography of Nelson Mandela. 'Mandela'. I'd started it back in December during the Xmas break. But once work began again, the book remained on the self until last week. Having now finished it I'm convinced that not only every activist but also every Black person should read this book. It is charged with history, ideology, courage, compassion and vision.

In many ways it is a handbook for Black political organisation; the role of unity, of organisation, the importance of the Black youth. In fact Mandela's first key role was to head the ANC's youth movement. And it was South Africa's youth that rejuvenated the ANC. With Mandela behind bars and the ANC sliding into oblivion, once again some forty years later the next generation's youth movement, headed by the dynamic Steve Biko, kept the movement alive.

After reading Mandela's biography I am acutely reminded that what we at OBV are facing is nothing new. For example, it is some how reassuring to know that Mandela faced the issues of whether or not the movement should be a broad church or just be for people of African decent, or even whether white people should be involved too. The debate was hard fought. But in the end Mandela persuaded the many factions that the movement must be Black-led, but there would be an equitable place for other peoples including Asians, whites, and communist.

When Mandela finally came to power his cabinet was the most representative Cabinet the world has ever seen. With Mandela the rhetoric matched the reality. His power to forgive is also a lesson for us to learn. It seems to me that the process not only disarmed some very wretched people, it also supremely empowered him. It gave him the moral authority to lead a united nation and also show humanity at its very best.

So rested, recharged and inspired I returned to London busting with ideas. I want to follow in the footsteps of my hero Mandela and help make a difference for Black people. I bounced around a few ideas with colleagues and friends. We agreed that a political assault on British democratic institutions would inspire Black Britons whilst serving notice on the political elite that we will no longer be ignored.

October's Black history month will be the first of a number of rallies throughout the UK, building up to a national rally in April. Preparation and focus will help ensure success, but the real success will only come from your support.

Our international brothers and sisters enlisted to the UK struggle, including Rev Al Sharpton, Julius Garvey, son of Marcus Garvey and Zindi Mandela, daughter or Nelson.

For more information about the October rally and the April March and how to get involved please contact me on 0208 880 6061.