Today’s
a day of celebration of life rather than mourning. Yet what I’m about to say here may not be the
slant that much of the media flock are taking.
Partly in that it’s my personal view, but also because if one truly
reflects on the past 23 years of Nelson Mandela’s life, we may remember moments
with mixed emotions throughout that tumultuous time in South Africa’s
history.
There
is no doubt that Nelson Mandela was an incredible man, one who endured so much
and yet retained his humility, integrity, humour and genuine, personable
character throughout his latter life. His approach to listening to both sides
first, thoroughly, and then taking a stance is something that I learned very
early on in my adult life, thanks in part to him, and is perhaps the thing that
stands out personally as his legacy more than anything else. Having been very fortunate to have shared a
small, intimate lunch with he, his daughter Zindzi and other MP’s at his 80th
birthday party held at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park in 1998, what struck me was, as clichéd as it may
sound, just how very down to earth and normal a man he was. He was totally unaffected by any of the fuss
around him, although being an intimate affair, there wasn't much of that
fortunately. My mother too had the
fortune of meeting Nelson Mandela, having been very involved through her work
in the ANC over many years, but more specifically The Children's Foundation and
has some personal, very touching letters from him that I came across only last
week.
Nelson Mandela & Liz Castle
Despite
it having been a special life, he was a man often placed on a pedestal by many,
almost unrealistically, as he was forced into being a statesman due to the
brand that 'Nelson Mandela' had become in his absence. It was a brand that meant many things to many
people, depending upon what they wanted it to mean to them, much like one
imagines the meaning of Jesus or Mohammed to some through the ages. The result being that the ‘Brand’ itself
became far greater than the man and the ANC themselves. People are quick to give all the credit to
Madiba for the peaceful transition to democracy, yet he was guided by so
many. One particular incident that
stands out, and only emerged many years later, was how Joe Slovo influenced
Mandela into making the calm, peace forging speech that he did immediately
after Chris Hani’s assassination. That
was a turning point. Again he was talked
into donning the No.6 jersey and walking out into Ellis Park stadium, not
something he came up with himself, but again a turning point in history. But to his credit he had the humility, brutal
honesty and ability to listen to reason and wisdom. Traits which most of our world leaders have
sorely lacked through the ages.
We
must remember that Mandela came a long way from an advocate of Communism and
Nationalism (not too different from Julius Malema’s current agenda) at the time
of his release and a few years into negotiation, to where his policies evolved
at the end of his term in Government to a more moderate, level-headed,
Capitalist lead democracy with some Socialist tendencies. He was certainly not
perfect, but a remarkable man with a unique legacy and revered by leaders
around the world.
What
disturbs me however is how much of the outside world see him as some sort of
Messiah. Much like they may have treated a fellow named Jesus 2000 odd years
ago, who was merely a man going about his business of preaching the Torah and
trying to help his fellow villagers to help themselves, through hope and
sensitivity. Mandela was a man, a great
man that’s for sure, but a mere mortal human being who made the right choices
when it came down to it and helped leave a legacy that is worth striving to
emulate in many ways. A man who
sacrificed family life for his political beliefs and aspirations, and yet had
time to make up for it to some degree later in life. Celebrate this man’s life, but guard against
giving him all the credit for how South Africa got through the transitional
phase of democracy and the rainbow nation ideal that prevails. Expats fear not; South Africa will not go
down the tubes because Mandela is no more.
Though, perhaps he was not vocal enough, perhaps due to his health, as
to the awful state his beloved ANC has found itself in and the country dragging
along with it. It is now time for some
fresh and drastic changes on the political landscape, and if Mandela’s legacy
can aid us in that process, then I'm all for it.
