Nursing Principles Honouring Nelson Mandela’s Legacy

by Alice Abade

International Nelson Mandela Day was declared in Nov 2009 by the United Nations General Assembly in recognition of Nelson Mandela’s values and dedication to the service of humanity. Nelson Mandela was a phenomenal leader, his legacy lives on years after his demise. Every year, on the 18th of July, which also doubles up as Madiba’s birthday, we commemorate and honor his life’s legacy.

The nursing profession is amazingly centered on some of his exemplary principles including human dignity, equality, compassion, and service to humanity.

Respect for human dignity is right at the center of the nursing practice as a core nursing ethical value. This aligns greatly with International Nelson Mandela Day which emphasizes the universal value of human dignity. Nurses extend a helping hand to patients and their families by caring for them in their most vulnerable state, to restore their dignity stripped off physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually by disease. Nursing care echoes Madiba’s legacy of fiercely fighting and protecting the dignity of every human being. This serves as a reminder to uphold universal human dignity regardless of our differences

Nelson Mandela’s life was a life of dedicated service. He spent 65 years fighting for social justice, from 1944 when he joined the African National Congress (ANC). These years notably include the 27 years he spent in prison, plus years in activism and mobilization with the ANC. In every way, nurses uphold this legacy by the dedication and commitment they show to patient care daily. The nurse’s unwavering commitment to patient recovery well exemplifies Madiba’s relentless spirit of not giving up until equality was attained in South Africa. As key champions of patients’ rights, nurses live out Nelson Mandela’s legacy daily.

International Nelson Mandela Day is a call to recognize the struggles of fellow citizens and to help ease their burdens. This can only be achieved with a compassionate heart. Quality patient care requires compassion, a value held by most exceptional nurses. Compassionate care goes beyond just offering physical support. It is a person-centered care that involves listening to patients’ concerns to recognize their struggles and handling the patient with empathy, respect, and dignity. The result is the creation of a healthy healing environment that guarantees not just physical healing but emotional as well through quality patient care.

Nelson Mandela’s long struggle was for the achievement of a free society where all persons would live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. International Nelson Mandela’s Day, honoring Madiba’s legacy, is about attaining equality. Nurses take care of patients from all walks of life without any discrimination. This guarantees equal access to health services and equal treatment and care irrespective of an individual’s economic, social, and cultural
status.

As the world celebrates Nelson Mandela’s legacy during International Nelson Mandela Day, his wonderful legacy must be not only celebrated today but every day. The greatest tribute to Nelson Mandela’s meaningful legacy would be to continue with his vision every other day. What a privilege that nursing care reflects the world’s most exemplary leader’s values and principles.