Nelson Rohilahla Mandela, former President of South Africa, is gravely sick in a hospital in Pretoria and unfortunately not expected to make a full recovery.
With each passing day, the Sun is setting on the last of the living statesmen.
South Africa is on vigil and world media is jostling for prime space outside the hospital to send regular news bulletins across the world. An expectant world waits for the inevitable news, as the Mandela family engages in a bitter court battle to locate a resting place for the national treasure.
Family dispute
The family wants it to be in the village of Gunu, in accordance with Mandela’s wishes, alongside his children. However, the children’s bodies were exhumed by his grandson Mandla Mandela and reburied in his village of Mvezo two years ago. It sparked a bitter court battle between the two opposing parties. The dissenting members of the family successfully sought court direction to relocate graves of Mandela’s children to his village of Qunu.
Mandla had hoped that the ‘prized’ body of Mr Mandela would also rest alongside them in Mvezo. It would have allowed him to establish a Mandela Shrine for the public. Other members of his family disagreed and questioned his motives.
Mr Mandela is the epitome of unity for the South African nation and a living testimony to the world on the ‘power of one.’ He stood against the tide of racism that swamped South Africa. A minority Government of whites deprived 85% of blacks their freedom and rights, as it ruled with an iron hand.
International appeals and sanctions failed to subdue a belligerent white Government. Its oppressive policies included systematic elimination and killing of those who stood on its way. Thousands filled the jails as the state apparatus did not relent.
Worst apartheid
In these circumstances, it gave birth to the African National Congress (ANC) to fight apartheid in all its ugliness. Its members were not treated as freedom fighters but as rebels against the Government.
The State machinery targeted ANC leaders; hundreds died in encounters or were simply killed under the pretext of resistance against ‘lawful’ arrest. State brutality against its adversaries intensified, as cover-up provided by a sympathetic media exacerbated the situation. The ANC struggle against the oppressive rule had many heroes, some lost their lives prematurely but Mr Mandela survived, endured and triumphed. After serving 27 years in prison at Robben Island, he exchanged his prison cell subsequently, moving on to occupy the highest office in the land – President of South Africa in 1994.
Valuable lessons
Within the confines of his prison cell, he learnt the most valuable lessons in leadership. Though he held radical views against white rule, he was not autocratic. At his trial he famously captured his philosophy, “During my lifetime, I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal, which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
These were profound words made not to impress the judge but Mr Mandela meant every word that he uttered. Through his actions in public life, he proved to the world that he abided in what he said.
Like Gandhi
Interestingly, his term in prison was not unlike that of Mahatma Gandhi. They adjusted to its environment. Prison walls could not imprison their indomitable spirits. They conditioned their psyche and engaged in deepest meditations of their hearts to deliver the best that humanity could offer.
Mr Gandhi accepted the prison cell as his home. Once asked of his physical address, he gave Yervada jail without hesitation. He Gandhi became the apostle of peace, renouncing violence.
Mr Mandela advocated Gandhian principles but did not renounce violence. However, he stood firm against racial discrimination and always held that South Africa was home to everyone. He said that race, colour or religion should not divide people but enrich a nation.
Building anew
Admittedly, the ANC was an organization that simmered with anger, hatred and violence. The pent up emotions had reached boiling point several times.
However, Mr Mandela convinced his ANC colleagues to build a new South Africa on the foundations of unity and equality. The whites in South Africa, apprehensive of the emerging democracy under black rule were assured of their place of respect, dignity and equality. He became the first President of democratic South Africa and immediately set up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to allow reconciliation among the citizens of South Africa. It was foundational work for which he received much praise and acclaim.
Within his active life he saw the fruits of his work in uniting a racially divided nation. Many now fear that the edifice of unity that he built may crumble once he is gone. Such is the ‘power of one’.
When Archbishop Desmond Tutu referred to South Africa as the Rainbow Nation Mr Mandela famously said, “Each of us is as intimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country as are the famous jacaranda trees of Pretoria and mimosa trees of the bushveld – a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.”
Rajendra Prasad is the author of Tears in Paradise: Suffering and Struggles of Indians in Fiji 1879-2004). It is now available as eBook through www.amazon.com/ebooks. It can be purchased and downloaded within minutes on Kindle, iPad and other readers. Many readers have capitalised on its popularity, with one of them listing it on Amazon for US$64.99. The Duty Free Shops in Nadi, Fiji retail it for F$67. The Book is priced at US$ 45 including postage from the Amazon website. The cost per download of eBook is only US$6.99.
