The African continent Wednesday July 18, 2012, celebrates Nelson Madiba Mandela. The nonagenarian is no doubt a man of many distinctions. The air around this region is crystal in admiration and adulation of one who sacrificed comfort and pleasure for the land of his ancestry. The story of Africa cannot be complete without a mention of Madiba. His birthday is legendry; one of continental dimensions yet of transformational and motivational proportions.
The African continent Wednesday July 18, 2012, celebrates Nelson Madiba Mandela. The nonagenarian is no doubt a man of many distinctions. The air around this region is crystal in admiration and adulation of one who sacrificed comfort and pleasure for the land of his ancestry. The story of Africa cannot be complete without a mention of Madiba. His birthday is legendry; one of continental dimensions yet of transformational and motivational proportions.
This piece reflects on the heroic feats of this humble servant of South African pedigree using all he stands for in challenging our contemporary African leaders and as medicine for our current madness. This eulogical and polemical write-up intends to enrich present and future Africans for purposeful leadership in salvaging our people from the shackles of poverty, anarchy and doom.
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Man of the moment
The anti-apartheid icon also known as, Rolihlahla was born on 18 July 1918. He fought the racist rule. In 1962 he was accused of sabotage, other similar offenses and sentenced to life imprisonment for twenty seven years on Robben Island. After his years in the prison, he contested election and was voted by his people which saw him serving his country as its first black President for five-years (1994- 1999). Before his election, he was an anti-apartheid leader and co-founder of unikhonto we sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ACN).
As the new President, the lawyer gave priority to reconciliation and introduction of policies aimed at reducing poverty and eradication inequality. In South Africa, he has received more than 250 awards over four decades. One which speaks volume is the most celebrated, Noble Peace Laureate he received. It is essential to recall a little about a man who has inspired and continues to inspire countless number of people worldwide.
Madiba’s Marathonic Memento
Madiba’s life is characterized by longevity and beautiful strides which is why many eulogize him. His, is not a story of South of Africa alone, but one that goes beyond the shores of black Africa. That he is legend of legends is an understatement. This Pan African is remembered for:
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Struggle Against Apartheid: The young dogged and daring Mandela defied time, self-comfort (family, friends, ambition) and circumstances to suffer for the liberation of his people. He, it was, who drew the curtains of the apartheid regime which hitherto made Africans slaves in their place of parentage. In the life of this man of humane courage, we discover the virtues of patience and perseverance. His life is characterized by decolonization and black freedom. Mandela epitomized Pan Africanism.
Many encomiums on the social utility, Facebook, describing this freedom fighter are worthy of note: Kevin Diment says, “Nelson Mandela stand(s) for freedom from oppression, a new understanding that we are all meant to be together in this world, no matter what colour, creed or gender we are.” Similarly, Idowu Babagbemi says, “if you know your history and the meaning of the fight for decolonization and black freedom, then you will know what Mandela did.”
Purposeful Leadership: The Mandela story is one of incarnation from ‘grass to grace.’ After his release from prison custody, upon the people’s recommendation, he offered to serve as President of the new South Africa which saw purposeful leadership greased with the oils of dedication and service oriented principles. His experience of incarceration made him ‘a professor of life’ haven drank from its well. Little wonder then, Rabiul Hussain calls him an “African idol of an international golden Oscar.” Barack Obama beautifully refers to him as “a man of unbreakable will.”
Exit as at when due: This idol would not allow himself to be carried away by power. Haven served his people to the best of his ability for a five-year term (1994- 1999), he exited the scene but availed his humanitarian services both in private and public to his people and for the good of all. He is one out of the many ‘tight-fisted’ African leaders, who hold on to power like a hungry monkey for ripened banana, who exited the scene when the ovation was loudest. What can be more matured!
Reconciler: He was not embittered by his dungeon years but broke from the bitterness of the past to an all-embracing father who tried to carry all along. He was an eye to the blind within and outside his country. He left big shoes for South African’s ACN leaders Jacob Zuma and Julius Malema. He tried to bring his nationals together to form a new liberated South Africa focusing on reconciliation, reduction of poverty and promoting equality among all. He played vital roles in various war-ton countries especially, Burundi.
Malaise/Madness, our
As we joyfully celebrate this iconoclast and quintessential statesman, we mournfully decry what the writer refers to as ‘black leadership’ on the African Continent. From South Africa to North Africa, West Africa to East Africa not leaving out Central Africa, the story isn’t too different.
Scientifically, the western world describes Africa States as third world countries or the underdeveloped world. Democratically, one often hears nascent democracy; economically, we are tagged, developing economies. Many social analysts have ascribed our problem to poor leadership and the resultant effects being poverty, literacy and underdevelopment.
Globally, Africa has come to be associated with bribery and corruption typified by looting of public funds to foreign banks, gorgy scenes of malnourished children, skeleton-like creatures hacked by the ravages of war, HIV Aids and malnutrition; other evils include; high child mortality rate, child trafficking, prostitution to mention just a few.
Experience has revealed some African leaders with a style of leadership short of the best and painfully described as the worst. Where leaders steal the people’s votes, force their way into office, perpetuate themselves in position of power and eliminate any possible opposition, one cannot but turn to the gods for a miracle. The proverb “those whom the gods want to kill they first make mad,” readily comes to mind.
Medicine, our
As we roll out the drums for the man of the moment, one calls on all on the shores of Africa and beyond to reflect on the ideologies of this disciple of purposeful sacrifice. The life and exemplary life of, the father of Africa, as some call him is a big challenge to both leaders and the led within and outside our enclave.
While thumbs are up for him, young Africans who regard him as a role model, an idol, a transformer; inspirator, liberator and true leader must not be misled by the bad example of some of our selfish leaders but be transformed and inspired by his ideals. Do other African leaders ever think of inspiring the young, striving for developments of monumental magnitude and leaving behind legacies? Will the likes of Al Bashir and Robert Mugabe be so celebrated when they leave office?
Africa must use this birthday as a day for unification and solidarity. The African Union (AU) should move from rhetoric to concrete action in the struggle against poverty, disease, food security, security of lives and property and overall development within the continent. Being our brother’s keeper is only a part of our rich African heritage and no modernity or secularism should wipe that!
Mandela met with world celebrities, religious leaders as well as great political leaders like; Spice Girl and Michael Jackson; Pope John Paul II and Dalai Lami; Bill Clinton and Margaret Thatcher. The Mandela day is an initiative of the Mandela Foundation which encourages everyone to devote 67 minutes of their time in recognition of his 67 years of service to humanity.
Suffice it to say that some of his critics claim he is Pro-Castro and never sides with Cuban democrats. Others have accused his fellow ACN leaders of corruption, scandal and eliminating white farmers. Shall the bowels be flushed along with its content? Far from it! As Olubajo Julius sums it up, let Africa arise to celebrate “a quintessential statesman par excellence – an iconoclast, a truly great African leader. A worthy hero,” – Happy birthday, Madiba Mandela – Viva Africa!
Fr. Justine John DYIKUK, a Catholic Priest, Freelance writer/poet and Public Affairs Commentator writes from CIWA, Port Harcourt!
Emails: [email protected] or [email protected]
You can follow me on Twitter: @just4realsquare
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