“… we have lost one of
the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of
us will share time with on this Earth. He no longer belongs to us - he belongs
to the ages.” – Barack Obama
In my teenage years and possibly earlier I remember seeing
the round bearded face of a great man on posters and the two words ‘Free
Mandela’. I have to admit I thought he looked dangerous and I probably judged
him the dangerous criminal Menzies and the right declaimed him to be. Mind you
these were the same people who propped up the hideous, murderous regime in
South Africa for many years. They also thought apartheid a valid process. It
took Malcolm Fraser to challenge his fellow right wingers before the atmosphere
changed politically in this country.
Years passed and the Springbok tour of Australia raised my
awareness and I came to realise there was more to the story and less to support
in the accepted view. With the realisation came the passion for seeing Mandela
out of jail and living free, having the freedom he wanted for his people and
all those in Sth Africa. That finally came in 1990 and the world became a
better place.
Mandela was not without sin, he did think violence was ok
for a period of time, he shared the ANC belief in assuming ownership of ‘white’
property and he may not have always been generous in his interactions with
others. His imprisonment changed these views and he became simply remarkable.
His dignity and his spirit inspired me and educated me. His
ability to forgive, to know that revenge does nothing, progresses nothing,
lives only for and off itself was a revelation. The Truth and Reconciliation
Commission was an amazing, unique and brilliant concept and made the future
direction of that blighted country more certain.
The power of Madiba’s message is in contrasting the way
South Africa developed after his release to the basket case that Zimbabwe is.
Mandela chose peace and forgiveness, Mugabe chose hate and revenge. South
Africa still has its problems but there is hope and faith, Zimbabwe just has
blood and tears.
I am so grateful to have lived at the same time as Madiba
and join others in thanking his family and country for sharing him with us.
Your sadness is balanced with gratitude for his life but my sympathy for your
loss. What an incredible life though eh?
From a Prisoner for 27 years to President for six years ,his long walk to Freedom made my
life better, made the world brighter and made many more things possible.
Mandela’s legacy will always be that little extra light in a too often dark
world. But with his passing that light is just a little less bright.
Be at rest you wonderful man. We can ill afford to lose you
but if it makes the hereafter a better place and if God needs you, go well and with our
thanks.
So many tributes to this great human today but, as always,
President Obama’s was the highlight for me. Read it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25250278
