In loosing Nelson Mandela, the world has lost an iconic
leader and a truly remarkable human being. He was not a saint, yes, but how
many of us are? Not many, but the absence of a state of perfection should not
stop us from reaching for and trying to attain the highest ideals. Mandela
fought for freedom; he stood for unity and reconciliation even as he worked for
the inclusion of all South African
people in the government of their own country. These were causes for which he
was prepared to give his life and he led by example and with great dignity the entire
way.
As I watched the television coverage of his passing
yesterday evening, I could not help but reflect on this great life which
touched so many. I heard the President of the United States , Barack Obama say
that the first political act of his life had been to participate in an Anti-Apartheid
protest. The same is probably true for millions of people the world over, which
leads me to understand that Nelson Mandela’s life in its entirety was a gift to
the whole world. He did not belong to his family or even to his own people
alone, he belonged to us all. His life was a sacrifice.
(Image courtesy of www.nelsonmandela.org)
As a child, growing up in Lagos , I remember learning in primary school
about different forms of government. “Democracy” was defined as being a system
of government where leaders were chosen “by the people and for the people”. Us
kids loved that and would recite it often, not because we fully understood what
democracy was but because the definition sort of sounded like one of our fun little
nursery rhyme. I also remember learning about “Apartheid”, this being defined
as the “ruling of the majority by the minority” with the main example given
always being South Africa . Even at that age,
something seemed wrong with this form of government. Democracy seemed like the
best way to go about things; after all, it was the way we picked our Class
Prefects at school. Everyone got to decide who should do the job, whether it
was just for the day or for a whole term.
Initially, since I had learnt about African countries
achieving independence from colonial masters, I assumed that the situation in South Africa
was due to the fact that they were yet to be come independent. Then I learnt
that South Africa
had in fact gained independence in 1934, long before many other African
countries, and this only served to compound my confusion. So why would any one
allow such a strange system to exist where a few ruled the many? Who were this
minority? Where did they come from? Why did they not let others in? Why did the
majority not do anything about it? These were but a few of the many questions I
had about Apartheid, which the adults around me at the time were either
unwilling to or unable to answer. I surmised that it was not right and wondered
how people could just continue living their normal everyday lives when things
like this were going on in the world. Why did it not change?
At this time in my life, I had no concept of how racism,
segregation and group disenfranchisement could be institutionalized and made
part of every day life. I did not understand that people could go to great
lengths to seize and hold on to power and that fear could lead them to enact
laws that would make sure that certain other people lived a life full of disappointments
and uphill battles at every turn. These are all ideas of which I now have a far
better understanding since spending over a decade in the United States . When
hate is institutionalized, there is very little the average person can do to
move out from under the burdens imposed upon him or her, in order to advance.
But Nelson Mandela was no average person was he? Maybe he
wasn't or maybe he was, an average person who came to show us what one person
can do when he/she chooses not to accept the word “average” as the definitive
description of the totality of his/her capabilities. I remember watching a
movie that had been made about his life, to be more precise, my parents were
watching it and us kids decided to join them. I remember thinking who is this
guy? Why is he so famous? When I watched the part about him being imprisoned
for 27 years (with hard labor) I thought to myself, "Then, he must be really old!" As a kid, when you meet someone who is 27 years old, why they seem very old to you, how much more hearing of someone who had lived a few decades and then gone on to serve a 27 year jail sentence! I
honestly thought at that time that life imprisonment was equal to a 25 year
sentence. I don’t know why, but it just seemed like a person's life would be over by then!
Also, in those days, there was always a “Free Mandela” song being
released by an artist and
being played at regular intervals on the radio. There were always protests on television
and concerts all over the world. There was not freedom song by any of the
musical heavyweights of that time that did not mention Mandela and/or
Apartheid. What was it about this man that so captured the imagination of
people the world over, that even when he had been in jail for what to my
childish mind amounted to an eternity, people were still making movies, writing
songs, holding concerts and calling for his release? What an extraordinary
person!
Popular song from the 80's by Nigerian Reggae Artist Majek Fashek titled "Free Mandela, Free Africa".
(Video courtesy of www.youtube.com)
When all is said and done, the fact that Nelson Mandela
opposed the ostracism of members of the apartheid government and stepped
down from his office as President of South Africa after just one term, can
almost be called “UnAfrican”. As far as the way things typically go on the
continent, a change in leadership is often marked by violence, bloodshed and
the complete obliteration of all vestiges of the former regime including the
destruction of buildings, property and infrastructure if necessary. Also, with
few exceptions, African leaders are usually unwilling to relinquish power once
attained. South Africa may still have its problems and it may still be
grappling with serious issues affecting the welfare of its citizens, however,
it is due to this man’s insistence on unity and inclusion that the entire
country did not fall into complete chaos and anarchy like so many other African
countries have done.
I could write volumes just about my own personal musings
about this great figure of a man. Indeed volumes were written about Nelson
Mandela during his lifetime and I am certain that volumes more will be written
after his death. The lesson of forgiveness that he has taught me personally is
one which I was unable to ignore yesterday, no matter how hard I tried. While
reflecting on the fact that he forgave the prison guards who probably beat and tortured
him while he was in prison, I came face to face with that fact that I still
bore some ill-will towards people who had deliberately wronged me in the past. In
my professional life, I have come across a few people who seem to lack any sort
of moral compass and who always clearly choose to do wrong rather than stand up
for truth. This in a way is sort of the institutionalized formula for success
in the corporate world, so it really is no surprise to anyone who’s ever had a
job.
However, I am certainly not usually keen on spending any
additional time with such people as I try to keep my exposure to poison and
negativity to the bare minimum. I can interact in a cordial manner with these
denizens of darkness, if this is necessary to accomplish a goal or project, but
I see no reason why we should have lunch together afterwards. Therefore, in
calling to mind the example set by Nelson Mandela in embracing his jailers and
even the Apartheid government in order to accomplish the goal of a free South Africa , I
could not help but feel great admiration for the man. I can only imagine how
many times he may have found himself seated across a table from an enemy who
hated everything he stood for and who was completely unapologetic about the
wrongs committed against him. Yet, he chose to rise above all that with dignity
and humility that gained him the respect and admiration of his enemies and the
love of billions around the world.
I solemnly promise to work on myself with regards to working
with and reaching compromises with people who appear to be morally bankrupt. I
certainly have as yet suffered no wrongs that would even begin to come close to
what Nelson Mandela has lived through and so forgiveness should come at least as
easily to me as it did to him. Therefore, it is with great gratitude that I
reflect on the life of this great man, given as a gift to us all, to learn from
and hopefully to become better people. I salute you, Great Madiba for the
countless lessons your life has taught me. Rest in Peace. We will never forget
you!
XOXO,
Starlight.
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