Nelson Mandela 1918-2013
Over the last few weeks I have listened to some of my South African friends (and there are a lot of them at Christ Church!) speak with affection at how Madiba has impacted their lives and their country. I’ve also heard stories of individuals who took risks during Apartheid because faith and humanity seek to rise above oppression.
The world said farewell to Madiba in a touching funeral service today that befitted this extraordinary man and his extraordinary achievements. It captured with dignity a celebration of his life from friends, family and world leaders. I was left with a deep and profound sense of respect and gratitude – here is someone who has changed a nation and impacted the world.
‘The long walk comes to an end.’ Not my words but an opening editorial in a commemorative issue of Time Magazine celebrating the life of Madiba, as he was affectionately known. The thing about Nelson Mandela is that the whole world feels affection towards him. Rarely do we come across an individual who embodies forgiveness, courage, and grace. I remember the ‘Free Mandela’ concert marking his 70th Birthday at Wembley in 1988, which gave a platform to Nelson Mandela and brought into focus the need to campaign for an end to Apartheid – which always seemed abhorrent and utter madness. On February 11th 1990 I was studying Theology at Cambridge and I remember watching live on TV Mandela walk through the gates of Victor Verster with Winne and the world’s media and the mass of people gathered to witness. The principal of our college hung South African and ANC flags from their windows in celebration and solidarity with the cause.
Over the next few years we followed the struggles of a country caught in the grip of rapid change with everything up for grabs and watched and wondered how Mandela would lead a divided nation when he became the first black President in 1994. So much that follows has become legend – the shrewd adroit politician, world statesman and peacemaker in action. The film Invictus captures how Mandela used the 1995 World Rugby Cup to unite his country by reaching out to South Africa’s whites. Francois Pienaar who received the trophy from Mandela in 1995 speaks of how he saw the nation change in six weeks. What I love about the story is that Mandela continued to befriend Pienaar post-world cup when there was nothing to gain. Pienaar speaks of how Mandela attended his wedding and phoned in the early hours of the morning when Pienaar’s first child was born congratulating him and offering to be godfather. This anecdote speaks of a genuineness and integrity that confirms what we think we all know about Madiba.
Bono’s tribute to Mandela speaks of the man who preferred laughter to tears (for many years he was unable to cry because his tear ducts had been damaged by the dust from the prison limestone quarry until he had corrective surgery).”We are not just the peoples with the oldest history,” he once told Bono, “but the peoples with the brightest future.” Mandela overcame bitterness and hate and trailblazed a future of hope and optimism. “Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.” He overcame 27 years of being a political prisoner to become president. Richard Stengal in his obituary makes a profound point that, though Mandela could have been president for life, but he chose to step down after serving one term because Mandela knew that for democracy to rule he had to make space for others to follow. Stegal concludes saying, Madiba, “He was a large man in every way. His legacy is that he expanded human freedom, he was tolerant of everything but intolerance. he deserves to rest in peace.”
craigryalls 