As I write this article, Nelson Mandela a former South Africa first black President, and one of the world's recognized human rights activist, and icon is said to be in critical condition in Johannesburg hospital. The whole world is praying for him to recover. According to the sitting South African President Jacob Zuma, Mandela has been well taken care of in the hospitals by specialist Doctors since he was rushed there about three weeks ago. Zuma mentioned that Mandela had seven doctors taking care of him at some point. We all pray that Nelson Mandela will recuperate. I personal pray that he does, not only because he is an renowned icon, but because he suffered so much in prison losing twenty seven of his life jailed by the apartheid government for fighting oppressive system that discriminated the black people.
It is also worth noting that the media is all camped up in the street corners of the hospitals waiting to be the first to delivery the sad news! As we all know that news business is now cut throat business where each and very media institution competes to be at the top. Journalist want to be remembered as the one/ones who first brought this news for many years to come. In case Tata does not make it, we will obviously remember where we where, and what we were doing that day and hour. In other words this could be a historic event. Some of us still remember where we were on the day that we heard that "Nelson Mandela has been released from prison way back in 1990". Most of our generation grew up knowing that Nelson Mandela was in prison for freedom and equality of all black people in South Africa. So when he was finally released after a lot of bloodshed and international diplomatic talks, we were all relieved. The whole world said, Free at last!
In case you are reading this article with a negative attitude towards the legacy of Mandela. I have two words for you tough luck! I am a big fan of Mandela and an objective one too. Nelson Mandela's legacy played right in my own eyes. For that reason I would not and cannot have taken away from me. Most people who are critical of Mandela calling him a "soft leader on whites" do not understand something. They do not understand that what he did brought huge gains for the country and the world at large. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Having said that I must be clear that Madiba only ruled South Africa for five years and in those five years, we all know that he was a ceremonial President. He had left administrative issues to then then deputy Thabo Mbeki if my memory serves me well.
I must be clear that poor South Africans have right to express themselves. If they feel that Mandela let them down then let it be! Its been over twenty years after the country gained Independence and they honest have a right to demand that the government fulfill the promises. South Africa is one country with many demographics. This is a country with some of the world's richest people and at the same time the world's poorest. How can there be an equitable way to both distribute and partake of the resources in the nation of South Africa? Quite clearly, time is running out. People cannot wait any longer. I must say that there are some black people who have benefited since Independence, some through education and other programs especially within the ruling party ANC. Having said that, one might think that I am not a big Madiba fan as I confessed earlier. The issues here are bigger that Mandela. South Africans need to start deliberating on issues of the day. Mandela was relevant on his day as a leader. If educated black South Africans can bridge the gap by mapping out a way of balance the equation. Ignoring the poor could be catastrophic. Its a ticking time bomb.
Madiba did not hold on to the office long and the blame should not be on him alone. If anything let us look at what his predecessor did. What was Thabo Mbeki doing in the office all those years? If anything the legacy in question is Thabo Mbeki's not Nelson Mandela. The poor South African must seek the answer to this question by courting Thabo Mbeki. Mandela's legacy cannot be changed. What he did is clear for everybody to see. He said I have fought for all South Africans, black and white, Asians and coloreds alike. Whether he lives or dies, Madiba's legacy is shining and will be shinning for many generations to come. Amandla. Let us all try to remember the Mandela that brought down the walls of apartheid and racism in South Africa. Hence the rainbow nation. The key to South Africa after Mandela is talking to each other period. Mandela played his role. Get well Tata, get well Madiba. (NB Nelson Mandela passes away on the 12/05/13 and was buried a week alter in his hometown in Qunu in a what would be the most attended burial of ay person in out times.)
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