Celebrating a 100 years of an icon

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF AN ICON

The Legacy of Nelson Mandela

Mandela cell Pollsmoor

Throughout history the world has spawned iconic leaders that have steered the world in a new direction. These iconic leaders have come from various echelons of human life. We have had charismatic and iconic leaders from the humanities, sciences, war, politics and spiritual among others. These leaders have left their mark on all of us on planet earth and we use their legacies to model our lives on. A quick dive into the memory banks reveal names such as Julius Caesar, Jesus Christ, Alexander the Great, Isaac Newton, Winston Churchill, Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi, William Shakespeare and many others.

South Africa has spawned its own world icon on 18 July 1918. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

As with all otherworld icons that lived through the ages, Nelson Mandela left his mark on all of us and to honour his legacy the month of July has been designated as “Mandela Month” in South Africa. However, due to his high profile as a “Freedom Fighter” Nelson Mandela is revered all over the world and as a result his centenary was celebrated throughout the world. This celebration is of crucial importance specifically to South Africans as it makes us reflect on the present situation in the country from the time Nelson Mandela was president and

Nelson-Mandela-Day

the conditions we now have to endure. The country has deteriorated to such an extent that we have become the most unequal society in the world. This was caused by the lack of leadership displayed by those that succeeded Nelson Mandela. The leadership we inherited after Mandela at this time that we have the opportunity to deliberately examine where we went wrong and how we could use the legacy of Nelson Mandela to correct the errors commits it.

On the 18 July this year in South Africa every South African spent some time remembering the life and times of Nelson Mandela. More importantly we reflected on his legacy with the objective of bringing South Africa back on course as we have gone completely off the rails since Nelson Mandela retired from active life.

We have all recognized that South Africa is in dire straits as the promised new life for all has all but dissipated. As a result a clarion call was made by all organizations to all South Africans to reflect on the legacy of Nelson Mandela in order to take the necessary action to reset the compass.

As we scan the various programmes that have been conducted to assist us in our efforts to bring us back to the glory days of our icon, the country was requested to reflect on what Nelson Mandela fought for. What was amazing was that the whole country participated in celebrating the centenary of Nelson Mandela in many conventional as well as innovative ways. The day saw South Africans united. That the spirit of Nelson Mandela could still move a nation into action was truly remarkable. This one day was a far cry from the 364 days where we witnessed the divisive conduct of a divided nation driven by racism, corruption, unemployment, poverty and more importantly the huge chasm of inequality.

The theme for the centenary has been to live the legacy of Nelson Mandela. By the various events taking place since the 18 July it is difficult to see that all South Africans are keeping alive the legacy of Nelson Mandela post 18 July. Clearly we have not got to the heart of the legacy of Nelson Mandela.

So what is the legacy of Nelson Mandela that was so inspirational that made him the toast of the world?

Nelson Mandela had all the attributes of a leader. The great leaders of the world have all during their lifetimes displayed these attributes. These attributes were spelt out at the trial of Nelson Mandela and just before his release.

At his treason trial he was advised by his legal team how to proceed before sentencing. The fear was that he would be sentenced to death. As he faced this dire fate he advised his legal team that he would not take their advice but would make his own statement as he was bound by his convictions. He proceeded to put together his statement that become synonymous with Nelson Mandela. It is these words that South African leaders have forgotten. It was these words that placed him in the same category as the great leaders of the world. Who can forget Martin Luther King’s “I had a dream….” speech just

Nelson Mandela Childrens Foundation

Pollsmoor

before he was assinated. Who can forget Winston Churchill’s “ We will fight them on the beaches, we will fight them in the skies…..we will never surrender” and the many others. However we have forgotten the statement of Nelson Mandela before sentencing when he expected the death sentence. It is therefore necessary for us to remind all South Africans of this statement as many South Africans have clearly forgotten it.

“ 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 equal opportunities. It is an ideal I hope to live for and achieve. But if needs be it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die for”

It is these profound words that have been lost in the mists of time but needs to be embossed in the minds of every South African. Facing certain death these words would surely have been the final nails in his coffin. We know the outcome.

Another example of Nelson Mandela’s legacy as a leader was when he was at Pollsmoore prison with some of his comrades from Robben Island. Nelson was recuperating from surgery on his prostrate and was taken to a cell on the ground floor of Pollsmoore whilst his comrades were three stories above him. He occupied three rooms and a separate toilet. Although he missed his comrades he used his solitude to ponder the state of the struggle. Here he came to the conclusion that the struggle could be best pushed forward through negotiations failing this the country would be plunged into a bloody civil war. It was clear to Nelson Mandela that the government of the day had the military might but knew that this alone would not be sufficient to defeat the struggle for freedom. The government was now on the wrong side of history. Nelson Mandela came to the conclusion that if he did not initiate dialog millions of lives would be lost in the conflict. It was time to talk. He knew that a decision of this importance could only be taken in Lusaka. He decided that he would proceed to initiate talks with the government without informing either his comrades in prison above him nor those in Lusaka. In his autobiography, A Long Walk to Freedom, volume two he stated,

“I choose to tell no one what I was about to do. Neither my colleagues upstairs nor those in Lusaka. The ANC is a collective, but the government has made collectivity in this case impossible. I did not have the security or the time to discuss these issues with my organization. I knew my colleagues would condemn my proposal, and that would kill my initiative even before it was born. There are times when a leader must move out ahead of the flock, go off in a new direction, confident that he is leading his people the right way”

Again his leadership qualities were revealed. Even in prison he was prepared to take on an organization, this time his own organization, the ANC, to lead his people to freedom. He had the courage of his convictions and was prepared to face the wrath of the leadership of the ANC.

Is this therefore not the legacy of Nelson Mandela? He was always prepared to face the onslaught of the powerful to do what is right to improve the lives of his people. He displayed the ultimate quality of leadership and that is that his position as a leader was worthless unless he was prepared to place the cause ahead of himself even though it could cost him his life. This is the legacy of all great leaders

Is it not time that we really take seriously the legacy of Nelson Mandela and use his leadership qualities to unite all South Africans to enjoy the right of a free society in South Africa where there is no domination of one group over another. This is what Nelson Mandela was prepared to die for. Are we ready to die for this ideal?

Robben Island-entrance

Robben Island clean up as part as 67 mi

Blankets made by correctional services

Pollsmoor

DONATIONS to Luvuyo Orphanage Home in Soshanguve on Mandela Day. Donating clothing for the under privaliged

Former president Kgalema Motlanthe at the Tree-Planting Ceremony in Eastern Cape

We join the world in honour of Nelson Mandela on this Centenary Celebration United Nations Deputy President David Mabuza hands over newly built houses to seven beneficiary families as part of centenary celebrations.jpg

President Cyril Ramaphosa and former President Jacob Zuma hands over bicycles to learners at the birth place of former President Nelson Mandela

Mvezo in the Eastern Cape as part of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebrations, 18 July 2018 SAPS painted the premises of Edu-Care Center