Adios Nelson Mandela
Africa woke up on December 6, 2013, to the grim but not un expected news of the death of Nelson Mandela, the black South African leader who showed the world of bigots that a man and a black man for that matter is capable of humanity and humility at the same time even in the face of extreme mistreatment at the hands of fellow human beings.
Mr. Mandela died at the ripe age of 95 after several months on life support. The quintessential freedom fighter lived a purposeful life that benefited not only his people in South Africa but mankind in general.
The iconic civil rights leader who President Barack Obama of the United States describes as a man who “achieved more than could be expected of any man” spent 27 years in captivity, refused to acquiesce to the demands of the Apartheid regime to denounce armed resistance against the damnable policy, and yet asked black South Africans to denounce hate and retribution against whites in the country. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela a prince amongmen and a bona fide prince among his Thembu people lived for his people; even sacrificed his life, and in the long run contracted tuberculosis while serving his long prison sentence at the Robben Island. He was a symbol of persistence and determination as in the face of all the hardships he suffered he was able to obtain his law degree in jail. He became the voice of the voiceless even after his release from jail always cautioning against retribution. His people called him Madiba and his party called him a colossus. The world has seen his likes in Mahatma Ghandi and the Christ, and they are only a privileged few. What is characteristic is that in life they were all maligned, abused, disrespected, even feared and victimized. And yet they preached peace and love for fellow man. Mandela is quoted in his jailhouse memoires as saying that he still had faith in human nature. In the Long Walk to Freedom he writes: “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion; People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” Such was the caliber of the man called Nelson Madela.There is no room to describe Nelson Mandela, neither are there enough words to show who Mandela was. Mandela’s life changed the perception the world had about Africans and the black race and for that Africa owes the venerable old fighter a debt of gratitude. In the words of Britain’s ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair, “Mandela made racism look … stupid.” Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a close ally and associate, says of Mr. Mandela: “He taught us extraordinarily practical lessons about forgiveness, compassion and reconciliation.”Adios, Nelson, the tree of tolerance you planted will forever blossom and Africa and its people will never forget you. You made proud the Black race once vilified. The wretched of the earth owe you a lesson never before learned.
Amandhla!!!!!!!
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