Friday, December 13, 2013 ARTS
THE GUARDIANwww.ngrguardiannews.com
35
Ode to Nelson Mandela By Kayode Steve Adaramoye
On this African Mountain Madiba teaches the world love and friendship Madiba teaches the world bravery and principle Madiba teaches the world courage and faith Madiba teaches the world selflessness and heroism And the Seventh Day came calling for Madiba As he stands on African Mountain To ascend on seraphic wings To bid the world farewell in lightning The eerie smoke thunders the sky As the trumpet sounds for the warrior Sun of righteousness stands still for Madiba Moon of beauty arrays the sky for Madiba Star in constellation glorifying Madiba Rainbows of love arc the sky for Madiba Before our own eyes Angels on wings in colors In jubilant scintillating voices Celebrating Madiba in glory Initiating him into the pantheon of saints
When Mandela visited CBAAC in 1990 S his rites of passage which began on A Tuesday in South Africa continues to gather global momentum, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) has joined the rest of the world to mourn the passage, last week, of the great icon of the struggle against apartheid and racism, Nelson Rolihlahla Madiba Mandela at the ripe age of 95. In a statement signed by the centre’s Director General, Prof. Tunde Babawale, “CBAAC condoles with the family, Government and people of South Africa as well as the Black and African communities world wide over the passing away of the greatest African of our time. We sincerely sympathize with the entire Black and African peoples on this great and irreparable loss. There is no gainsaying the fact that Mandela’s demise has created a big gap with enormous challenge to the Black community around the world. We grieve with the rest of the world on the death of this dogged fighter, foremost pan Africanist, and a great icon of no mean achievements, Nelson Mandela. “Following his release from captivity in February 1990, we recall Madiba’s visit to CBAAC on May 14, 1990 to collect the certificate of freedom of the City of Glasgow which was kept in trust for him by the Centre when he was in prison. As a human and social rights crusader whose achievements remain unequalled and unrivalled by any individual of his background and lineage, we recall with nostalgia, Mandela’s commitment to the struggle against apartheid through African National Congress. “Notwithstanding his age and health, Mandela never relented in his resolve
There is no gainsaying the fact that Mandela’s demise has created a big gap with enormous challenge to the Black community around the world. We grieve with the rest of the world on the death of this dogged fighter, foremost pan Africanist, and a great icon of no mean achievements, Nelson Mandela. to further the frontiers of his campaign for racial equality, human rights and fair representation. He was a firm believer in racial equality and reconciliation. His renunciation of violence and his campaign for Peace and reconciliation on his release signaled a new dawn in the history of South Africa. This development earned him along side his erstwhile tormentor and the former leader of apartheid South Africa, Frederick de Klerk the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize. Through his brief stint as the first black President of democratic South Africa, Mandela institutionalized to his credit, a formidable inter racial network of relationship between and among peoples of South Africa, Black or white and the global community in general. A legend par excellence, through his words, writings and actions, Mandela bequeathed to the next generation inspiring footprints and enduring legacies worthy of emulation. “Mandela’s presidency also recorded enviable achievements and made significant contributions to human advancement with a thriving progressive constitutional democracy in South Africa, the launching of South Africa into global reckoning, thus becoming a global player, institution of a united and integrated South Africa in the midst of diversity. Among his legacies as a humanist is his
extensive charitable work through the institution of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and 46664 – the HIVAIDS initiative named after his prison number. “It was in recognition of his commitment to the cause of the people that the United Nations in 2009 declared that July 18, Mandela’s birthday, be set aside worldwide as a day of community service to be known as Nelson Mandela International Day. “There is no doubting the fact that Mandela’s shoes would be too big for any mortal of his generation to wear. He would be sorely missed. We are however consoled by the fact that even in death, Mandela’s image which is synonymous with true love for all, sacrifice and struggle for equity, justice and fairness looms large. “On behalf of the Board, Management and staff of Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Federal Republic of Nigeria, I condole with the Mandela family, the government and people of South Africa and the entire Black and African peoples on this unavoidable transition. May Madiba’s gentle soul rest in peace.”
Madiba’s death is a celebration of life Madiba’s death is life after life Madiba’s death is glory unto glory Madiba’s death is initiation into the ages Madiba’s death is honour to the world beyond Weep not Africa for Madiba Weep not the world for the freedom fighter Weep only for the vampires among us Weep only for the vermin in our midst Weep for the wolves in human skin Ha! African forest has lost its flower Hey! African plant has lost its chlorophyll Tell it not to the rampaging sirocco Tell it not to the heathen storm Publish this not to the racist whirlwind As heroic Madiba departs in blazing glory When’ll our forest get another elephant When’ll another lion roar our forest When’ll another Iroko dwell our forest Till then our evergreen forest remains deciduous!