"My fellow South Africans, our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding President of our democratic nation has departed."
Those words uttered by President Jacob Zuma froze the world. We knew it was coming, the minute we found out about the emergency family meeting, we started suspecting something was not right. When they said that the president would address the nation at 11.30pm, we started to fear the worst.....and when he came onto our tv sets and told us what we expected, we still were not ready.
Mandela had been in and out of hospital for the past 2-3 years; we knew his condition was not getting any better. When he was admitted into hospital in June, we started to mentally prepare ourselves......and then he was discharged. A collective sigh of relief was breathed, but we still knew it was not all clear. Many said "let him go, it is time".....many thought they were ready - I thoought I was ready.
Many years ago I went to Robben Isand on a school trip....I was in high school already and thought I knew quite a lot of what there was to know - my trip there inspired me to read Long Walk To Freedom, and that was when my mind was opened. The sacrifices that Mandela and many of his comrades made is indescribable - I often wonder if I would have the willpower to believe in and fight for a cause to that extent, that even when faced with death, I keep at it. Many were killed, thrown out of buildings, tortured, faced the hangman, exiled to other countries leaving their lives and families behind....but they stood for their cause and were willing to take anything.
When the president uttered those words, we knew what he was going to say, but still sat and watched silently, listening and grasping every word, almost in slow motion, in hopes that he wouldnt say what we knew he was going to. The world stood still, I became cold. I thought I was ready, but I honestly wasnt . I felt a lump in my throat as I sat there and listened to the rest of his address until "We will always love you Madiba! May your soul rest in peace. God Bless Africa. Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.". Then it was done, final....done. I was sad, my soul was broken....I didnt realise the impact this would have. A nation was in mourning, the world was weeping.
It has been quite a week....with tributes, statues, fake interpreters, and Mandela family squabbles....but the amazing spirit of unity within the country was inspiring. For the first time since the soccer world cup in 2010 people stood together as one, felt the same pain, cried the same tears, celebrated a man's life together....and remembered the journey of this country and its young democracy.
There are many lessons to be learnt from this great man....but for me, one shining one is to stand for what you believe in, even when it looks like it wont be achieved. Never give up. Dedicate yourself, fall in love with your cause, be prepared to face anything inorder to see it come to being.
Love it, Live it, Be it!
PS: credit to the owner of this pic...it isnt mine, I repeat, it isnt mine!
18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013
Rest In Peace
