Goodbye Mandela, Hero and Father to Our Nation
Nelson Mandela is dead. He died at home at 8.50pm on Thursday, December 5 2013. This is a tribute from Patrick a.k.a. The Snordster, one of my readers. These are his words and video, compiled 5 months ago whilst Nelson Mandela a.k.a. Madiba a.k.a. Tata…a.k.a. Father of a Nation, fought his illness and news reports conflicted over his life and death...
It seems like yesterday when I heard Tata was out of prison. Mixed emotions went through my mind! What does this mean for us South Africans & all Africans.
Joy filled my heart and i actually cried at the thought of him been jailed for all those years just for me and my nation to be freed from slavery. I salute you Tata, not many people would have done it…you are a Hero to me and for all peoples.
To the world in general, and most South Africans, in particular, you were not only a beacon of hope for what humankind can achieve and be but you are a symbol of the potential human beings have. Words alone cannot begin to express the profound and deep-seated pride and emotions we have when we think of you, for you and your generation are an embodiment of what the South Africa was meant to be. Your image and memory will remain etched on our conscious for time immemorial.
For most good men it is hard enough to be a father to one child so to father a nation is a kind of miracle that only comes from (and grows with) wisdom, love and the heart of hero.
Madiba, you changed our lives in ways you will never know.
I am proud of my beliefs and strong enough to stand up for them because you showed me that being afraid doesn’t matter – doing the right thing, standing up to be counted is what matters. If you have a voice, it’s your duty to speak up for yourself and those who cannot.
Hamba Kahle Ntate. Siyabonga Khakulu!
You can learn more about Nelson Mandela here:
- Wikipedia
- Official Nelson Mandela website
Wees stil broeders hier gaan ‘n man verby! Long live the spirit of Madiba long live!
May we combine forgiveness with action.
Meant to add my thanks to Patrick for his moving tribute.
There are so many well worded tributes to this great man that my own observations can have no real significance. I like to focus on the one occasion I saw him. At the 46664 concert in George about seven years ago. His unexpected appearance was unsteady (even then), but when he spoke, all too briefly, the 99% white audience rose as one to wildly applaud him. Many, as I did, held back tears. I’ve never known any politician, in fact any person, to have such a powerful effect on people’s emotions. He was truly loved by almost all.
Personal is what counts most!
I remember running away to Swaziland. Sadly, being dyslexic, I joined the CNA for two years before I discovered my faux pas.
Bwah ha ha ha ha. I almost joined the IFP. Then the ANC. Then the DA. Thankfully, found sense before each became action.
I remember, back in the mid eighties, when it was illegal to even say the word Mandela, I had a double-sided picture in the spare loo. One side was some arb tree picture and the other was that iconic Mandela pic at his Rivonia trial. When we had non-cool guests, I’d have to dash in the bog and flip the pic. Odd thoughts on such an auspicious day.
I remember the parties getting unbanned in 1990 and all my teachers turning out to be ANC, SACP and Black Sash. We, apparently, became the first mixed higher education class (with a PAC classmate not being as welcoming of us Whities as we were of him). Hell, one moment i think i’m going to be running from national service and be hiding in Zululand and the next it’s a new world and i’m volunteering for the airforce. So naive then. Almost everything became a lie, just black dictators taking over from white dictators, the public still last.
Thank you, Patrick. Glad that your thoughts were already in order. Hopefully when mine are, i will say something…next year.