Blog : MADIBA - LETTER FROM A BROWN INDIAN TO A WHITE SOUTH AFRICAN

3919 posts
12/6/2013 5:37 pm

Last Read:
12/22/2013 4:50 pm

MADIBA - LETTER FROM A BROWN INDIAN TO A WHITE SOUTH AFRICAN

In a world torn asunder by prejudice,hatred, and bigotry,
the passing of Nelson Mandela
impoverishes the human race.

You will recall the mood when we first visited SOWETO in 1996;
the tentative steps a deeply
divided society was taking
in its journey of transformation
to a Rainbow Nation.

The fact this was made possible was in a large measure
to the stature Madiba enjoyed among
even the most bitterest victims of Apartheid.

Who could claim to have been wronged more than Madiba who spent 27 years in prison? And if he
was prepared to forgive, who could dare to speak against Reconciliation?

The word Prison barely conveys the horrors of Robben Island;
cells for humans two mtrs by two mtrs,
kennels for guard dogs three mtrs by three mtrs.

It was with a great effort
that one was able to keep one's feelings in check
on seeing this atrocity.
It amazes me no end that Nelson Mandela moved
beyond personal hurt
and made his nation follow
his example.

And the gesture of appearing in a Rugby Game
wearing the Springbok jersey
was truly magnanimous.

The saying ,"To err is human,to forgive divine"would place Madiba way above the failings of most mortals.
And yet he always
admitted to his own human failings,
displayed true humility and never lost the common touch.
His death diminishes us all.

The test for Africa
will be to live upto his example
now that their
conscience keeper is gone.
For their own sake they cannot fail.

Madiba RIP.

"To fight the darkness do not draw your sword, light a candle" - Zarathustra

Abelle2 83F

31256 posts
12/6/2013 6:41 pm

This is wonderful! Thank you...

spiritwoman45

12/6/2013 9:24 pm

He was one of the few who had a purposeful life. We are all better for him having shared it with us.

Spiritwoman ^i^