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colonisation have had an immense impact on indigenous populations. As their name disappeared, their symbols were lost and their language silenced; they became tuned only to the sound of their occupiers. The Indigenous peoples were no match for the colonial soldiers and their modern equipment. While some resistance was put up, the revolutionary individuals are seldom remembered in comparison to the victors. The winners after all, write history, and often its bitter moments are downplayed with the ruthless invaders becoming heroes in the eyes of many. From the midst of oppression however, there is one individual who we remember today, that refused to accept the occupier. He challenged the self-appointed masters and refused to accept them as a superior race. He demanded equal rights. As he challenged the barbaric laws that governed their land, he became a revolutionary who took the peaceful path to seek equality. He was the leader for both the rich and the poor, for both black and white. He was a charismatic individual who had a selfless approach to life. When all failed to silence him, he was banished, and shackled to the dungeon, a barren place called Robben Island. This man was Nelson Mandela.
MANDELA’S LEGACY IS BLACK A AND WHITE
rriving by tall ships, the shock and awe had begun. Their hosts were intrigued by their appearance and the way they spoke. The scene was foreign and the Indigenous peoples were at a loss for words. Before they could understand the situation, they lost ownership of their land and in the blink of an eye the world had changed. The Indigenous peoples had become trespassers on their own land.
Naveen Rehmani explores the importance of honouring the legacy of one of the world’s most revered leaders.
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The Brief | Volume 20, Edition 1
History tells us that some parts of the world never existed until discovered by the colonial powers. Victoria Falls did not flow until seen by David Livingstone. Australia was nameless and had no human footprint until Cook landed. North America was a barren land until discovered by the Europeans, and the continent of Africa had no concept of ownership prior to their European invaders. The quest for discovery is a great achievement for some, but for the indigenous peoples, it had disastrous consequences. The tragedies of
Madiba, the Indigenous name Mandela was more fondly called by his people, has become a symbol of freedom and equality throughout the world. Once a man who sat on Robben Island, labouriously cutting stone, Mandela challenged the discriminatory apartheid laws and demanded equality between all races and genders. In an attempt to silence him, he was isolated through imprisonment. But even this failed to extinguish his dream of freedom. Twenty-seven years later, Mandela walked free, and the world watched as he helped topple the old regime, and became the President of South Africa. On the 5th of December 2013, his death was mourned and his legacy honoured by people around the world, including leaders who ‘aspired’ to be like him. It was not difficult, however, to notice the irony in the speeches of leaders from the Western world as they praised the noteworthy qualities of Mandela. Perhaps, this was because they are the leaders of nations, which are guilty of the same crimes similar to those committed against the Indigenous population of South Africa. Mandela has undeniably left behind a legacy that is unparalleled by any other national leader in the modern world. The