Image to the left taken from NelsonMandela.org.

Nelson Mandela—one of the world’s greatest and most inspirational leaders—was South African born and joined the African National Congress in 1944, as a resistance against the National Party’s apartheid rules. In 1963, Mandela, along with seven other political activists, was put on trial for attempting to overthrow the government. And in June 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life in prison. One of his prison cells was located on Robben Island, which can still be visited today for those on a South African family safari or honeymoon safari.

Nearly 26 years later, Mandela was finally released and elected President of the African National Congress in 1991.

Below is a compilation of some of Nelson Mandela’s most famous quotes:

• “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

• “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

• “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 it needs be it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

• “As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

• “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that a son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”

Image above taken from NelsonMandela.org.

Below is Nelson Mandela’s favorite poem, Invictus, written by the English poet, William Ernest Henley:

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

—William Ernest Henley

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We’re delighted to present our blog readers with Part II of Naomi Estment’s guest post, where she discusses her new inspirational novel, Out of Air. Pulling inspiration from conservation efforts in South Africa, her own life, South Africa history, and the African penguin, Naomi spent years crafting this remarkable novel and today, she shares with us what moved her to write Out of Air.

In case you missed Part I of this post, click here.

Below is Part II of our exclusive interview with Naomi:

**All images below are courtesy of Naomi Estment.

1. What is the underlying theme or message of this novel? Specifically, what do you hope readers will get out of this novel?

Out of Air is dedicated to women readers, for the purpose of their pleasure, entertainment, and enrichment. Favourable feedback from a number of them, ranging from early twenties to seventy (my mother is one of the proofreaders–and yes, scintillating sex does feature!), indicates that age is not a factor. Rather, it seems that various aspects of the multifaceted story resonate more soundly with different people.

The focus is Gina’s personal transformation in the process of her search for true love. She simultaneously attempts to live her best life and fulfill her dreams within the context of the world’s more encompassing challenges. South Africa’s socio-political and environmental problems provide the backdrop to her internal and external struggles, which collide increasingly as the adventure unfolds.

One aim is to share a South African perspective on a universal subject (search for love), hopefully encouraging some curiosity for this country in foreign readers, and fresh appreciation in those at home and expatriated. At the same time, acknowledgment is offered for Nelson Mandela’s phenomenal contribution to the global psyche concerning peace and freedom–echoes of which reverberated in the election of Barrack Obama.

Another objective is to inspire interest in the sea, sailing, and scuba diving, which has blessed us with such a wealth of experience. The book is an avenue for paying tribute to nature, as well as raising awareness for marine ecology and conservation. African Penguins constitute an instinctive subject, together with SANCCOB, because of the scale of their plight and rescue operations, reflected in recent international oil spill crises.

However, despite the profound nature of the background, Out of Air is an easy, accessible, chick lit read–full of dialogue and ditsy moments. My main wish is that it gives readers around the world as much enjoyment as I had writing it. To summarize the message, it is that love (in multiple forms) not only exists, but triumphs. In addition, Gina’s journey is ultimately about women coming into their own in the radiant light of their true selves.

2. You mentioned that Out of Air is written in part to “help raise awareness for the plight of African Penguins, recently reclassified as endangered.” Can you tell us a little bit about the dangers penguins have been facing and how Out of Air works to raise awareness around these issues?

Image taken at Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa.

The once abundant population of African Penguins has been ravaged over the years to the extent that it was reported nationally on Carte Blanche in March 2009 that if their numbers continued to decline as they were, there would be none left (save in captivity) in 15 years. Here’s a link to their informative article: African Penguins.

A foremost cause has been the devastating effects of oil pollution. The worst such event to impact South Africa’s coastline took place in June 2000, after the sinking of the MV Treasure, which jeopardized over 41% of the African Penguin species. Dyan deNapoli, also known as ‘The Penguin Lady’, was one of 12,000 international and local volunteers, who cleaned and cared for the 40,000 penguins that fought for their lives. Dyan recently launched her book The Great Penguin Rescue, which documents the remarkable story.

Various other factors have also contributed to the decline in African Penguin numbers, such as the mass commercial fishing of their food supply, harvesting of their eggs for human consumption (no longer prevalent), and large-scale collection of their guano in the 19^th century (for fertilizer). Without the compacted heaps of these droppings, the birds are often left without burrows, which means no-where to protect their young or shelter from the sun. Heat build-up sends the parents out to sea to cool off, making their offspring even more vulnerable.

Out of Air draws attention to this situation through the inclusion of the real-life sinking of the Apollo Sea, which took place in 1994, threatening 10 000 African Penguins. The disaster draws certain of the characters together at a strategic juncture in the story, consolidating the conservation angle of the book.

3. How can readers donate or help to save the African penguin?

SANCCOB offers simple ways to help, including feeding a penguin for five days for as little as R50, or adopting one online for R500, here:  www.sanccob.co.za.

Alternatively, nesting boxes can be purchased for R400 through the Dyer Island Conservation Trust at www.dict.org.za. The man-made burrows, such as these at Boulders Beach, assist penguins in breeding more successfully:

Man-made penguin burrows. Image taken at Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

Image taken at Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa.

4. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

With regard to availability of Out of Air, I am currently approaching select agents and publishers, so hope to provide details in the near future, via the book’s official website, www.outofair.com, and my blog, Naomi’s Notes.

Here are a few more pictures to give you an idea of the setting:

Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa, where Gina lives.

V&A Waterfront, Cape Town harbour, a stone's throw from where Gina works.

Ferrymans Tavern, V&A Waterfront, one of Gina's favorite haunts.

In the meantime, another heart-felt THANK YOU for this opportunity to share some insight about the book and the plight of African Penguins!

About Naomi:

“Naomi spent two years as a full-time ‘dechi’ (trainee karate instructor), before qualifying as a computer programmer. Advancing to analyst, she then switched to direct marketing. Soon after marrying Dave, she joined him in an administrative role at NFB, where their working partnership began.

Throughout her corporate career, Naomi pursued creative interests, earning a diploma in interior decorating, advanced photographic training, as well as professional make-up and hair-styling certificates, all of which aid in running the couple’s studio.

A love of language led Naomi to study French and Spanish, complete a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course and teach part-time. Writing developed from there and she is currently busy with her second novel. More information is included on her blog Naomi’s Notes.”

Learn more about Out of Air here.

Screen Grab Taken From www.apartheidmuseum.org/

Opening its doors in 2001, The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, South Africa is a place where visitors, as well as locals, can go to discover what really happened during the tyrannical time of apartheid in South African history. Photos, installations, exhibitions, artifacts, and films make up the core of this museum and provide each visitor with a true understanding of the effects apartheid had on South Africa—from the very beginning to the end.

A brief historical background: When the all-white National Party was elected into South African government in 1946, their apartheid policy was put into effect. Essentially, apartheid worked to make 20 million South African citizens second class. Not only were these citizens humiliated by their newly appointed “ranking” in society, they were also abused and put to work. The apartheid laws were built from a racial classification foundation that grouped people into one of four different groups. These groups were native, colored, Asian, or white. Those who were classified as second class were controlled by the government in every aspect of their life, including social, economic, and property restrictions.

In 1994, after nearly 50 years of resilience and bravery, South Africans received their freedom when Nelson Mandela—once a prisoner—became president.

Apartheid Museum

What you’ll experience at The Apartheid Museum: As you first enter the grounds of The Apartheid Museum, the first thing you’ll see is The Pillars of the Constitution. These pillars, which stand for South Africa’s recent historical freedom, spotlight the seven core values sewn throughout South Africa’s new constitution. These values are: democracy, equality, reconciliation, diversity, responsibility, respect, and freedom. Drafted between 1994 and 1996, the constitution was created by South Africa’s first completely democratic parliament and ensures complete equality for all.

Once past the sprawling courtyards of the museum, you’ll enter the museum in the appropriate entrance, based on your race group. This subjective classification is a way to briefly immerse visitors into the effects apartheid had on emotions.

As you walk through the entrance, you’ll see walls lined with authentic identity documents that were used during apartheid to classify each person. Continuing through the museum, you will see 22 exhibits, which, combined, take you through an epic story of oppression, bravery, rebellion, and freedom.

What you’ll take with you from The Apartheid Museum:Because South Africa’s liberation from a tyrant government was so recent, it’s resonance in the hearts of citizens is still palpable and strong, and is reflected throughout the entire museum. When you witness the combination of each vehicle of expression throughout the museum, you will see the emotional effects this time in history had on South Africans, and leave with the hope and conviction that the fall of apartheid is the beginning to a new South Africa.

Additional Information: The Apartheid Museum offers tours for visitors, but must be booked in advance. To view more information on the museum, as well as its admission fees and hours of operation, visit their website at http://www.apartheidmuseum.org/.

Screen Grab Taken From www.apartheidmuseum.org/

Opening its doors in 2001, The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, South Africa is a place where visitors, as well as locals, can go to discover what really happened during the tyrannical time of apartheid in South African history. Photos, installations, exhibitions, artifacts, and films make up the core of this museum and provide each visitor with a true understanding of the effects apartheid had on South Africa—from the very beginning to the end.

A brief historical background: When the all-white National Party was elected into South African government in 1946, their apartheid policy was put into effect. Essentially, apartheid worked to make 20 million South African citizens second class. Not only were these citizens humiliated by their newly appointed “ranking” in society, they were also abused and put to work. The apartheid laws were built from a racial classification foundation that grouped people into one of four different groups. These groups were native, colored, Asian, or white. Those who were classified as second class were controlled by the government in every aspect of their life, including social, economic, and property restrictions.

In 1994, after nearly 50 years of resilience and bravery, South Africans received their freedom when Nelson Mandela—once a prisoner—became president.

Apartheid Museum

What you’ll experience at The Apartheid Museum: As you first enter the grounds of The Apartheid Museum, the first thing you’ll see is The Pillars of the Constitution. These pillars, which stand for South Africa’s recent historical freedom, spotlight the seven core values sewn throughout South Africa’s new constitution. These values are: democracy, equality, reconciliation, diversity, responsibility, respect, and freedom. Drafted between 1994 and 1996, the constitution was created by South Africa’s first completely democratic parliament and ensures complete equality for all.

Once past the sprawling courtyards of the museum, you’ll enter the museum in the appropriate entrance, based on your race group. This subjective classification is a way to briefly immerse visitors into the effects apartheid had on emotions.

As you walk through the entrance, you’ll see walls lined with authentic identity documents that were used during apartheid to classify each person. Continuing through the museum, you will see 22 exhibits, which, combined, take you through an epic story of oppression, bravery, rebellion, and freedom.

What you’ll take with you from The Apartheid Museum:Because South Africa’s liberation from a tyrant government was so recent, it’s resonance in the hearts of citizens is still palpable and strong, and is reflected throughout the entire museum. When you witness the combination of each vehicle of expression throughout the museum, you will see the emotional effects this time in history had on South Africans, and leave with the hope and conviction that the fall of apartheid is the beginning to a new South Africa.

Additional Information: The Apartheid Museum offers tours for visitors, but must be booked in advance. To view more information on the museum, as well as its admission fees and hours of operation, visit their website at http://www.apartheidmuseum.org/.