The outpouring
for Nelson Mandela is well deserved and uplifting to millions. I have always admired the courage, dignity,
humanity, and African pride that he demonstrated throughout his struggle for
freedom in South Africa. In the
mid-eighties and throughout the nineties, I was host of a weekly radio program
on WMSP-FM. From the beginning I started
playing a song entitled “Free Nelson Mandela” by the band “The Special
AKA.” The song became an international
anthem for the fight to free Nelson Mandela and end Apartheid, the official
policy of racial segregation in the Republic of South Africa. By playing that song every week, I felt like
I was a part of the revolution to bring freedom to South Africa and oppressed
people the world over. I remember a
friend of mine asking me, “Who is Nelson Mandela?” She was a fan of my radio program who tuned
in every week. She noticed that I played
the song each week, but she confessed to me later, that she didn’t know the
first thing about this great man. I took
time during my next show, to explain to all of my listening audience, exactly
who Nelson Mandela was and why he was important to us all.
Recently, a
co-worker asked me how did this man Nelson Mandela, become an international
hero. I tried my best to explain the
character and charisma of this great man.
I did my best to explain his role as a leader in the African National
Congress, which fought against apartheid in South Africa. I did my best to explain the 27 years that he
spent in prison, only because he fought for freedom for Black and Brown South
Africans. And finally, I did my very
best to explain the role that Nelson Mandela played to avoid a blood-bath in
South Africa when he became the countries President. I don’t think my best explanation was good
enough. How do you explain the
greatness of the man? I must confess, I
really don’t know.
South Africa
today is not a perfect country. There is
much to be said about the living conditions of millions of Black South
Africans, who still live in utter poverty, have a difficult time finding work,
and are poorly educated. Still, South
Africa is a far better country today for Black and Brown South Africans then it
was 20 years ago. The Truth and Reconciliation
Commission, established under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, is credited
with bringing healing and peace to the country.
President Nelson Mandela once said, “We must use time wisely and forever
realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” He also said, “For to be free is not merely
to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the
freedom of others.” From the beginning
of his struggle for freedom, Nelson Mandela publicly stated that he did not
want white domination, and he did not want black domination. He simply wanted freedom and equality for
all. That is a principle that he lived
and died for. Maybe that is the best way
to describe this great man. South Africa
calls him “Madiba.” I call him “an
authentic hero.” May his presence be
felt forever.
