Today Sunday, July 18, is Nelson Mandella's birthday. He is ninety-two. It is also the first annual Nelson Mandela International Day, as proclaimed by the United Nations.

Why is Nelson Mandella, the former South African president, who spent twenty seven years in prison before leading South Africa from white-minority rule to all-race democratic democracy, such an important world figure? Because he represents tolerance, when there is so much intolerance in the world. He represents reconciliation, when there is so much strife, so many grudges, so many blood feuds. His life gives the world a much needed role model and provides hope.

Hope is not a small thing. South Africa has many problem, as does the world, as does this country. South Africa's problems would be far worse without Nelson Mandella's example.

With the growing rift in our country, and with the belief of some that compromise is a weakness and a betrayal, it is not too much of a stretch to say that we can look to Mandella's example to apply to our own politics. We can use a lot more tolerance and reconciliation.