Mandela at 95: Agonize not; celebrate, organize

Undoubtedly the former South African President had faced a number of health challenges in recent times, notably “respiratory infections” not unconnected to the condition at the notorious Robin Island prison in the 1980s, where the legendary leader contracted tuberculosis. Mandela’s remark two years ago remains a worthy reminder to us all that a man in […]

Undoubtedly the former South African President had faced a number of health challenges in recent times, notably “respiratory infections” not unconnected to the condition at the notorious Robin Island prison in the 1980s, where the legendary leader contracted tuberculosis. Mandela’s remark two years ago remains a worthy reminder to us all that a man in his 90s is certainly not young even if not hunted by any affliction. Nelson Mandela turns 95 on Thursday, 18th of July. The occasion of Mandela Day on July 18 (an annual international day commendably adopted by the United Nations) offers an opportunity to re-echo the legend that he is truly old not necessarily sick. Or better still reminding ourselves that Madiba suffers a natural inevitable illness; old age and other ailments only compliment this obvious sickness. This message assumes much relevance today because not few of his millions of admirers (including yours comradely) almost gave in to despair and some agonizing since he was admitted more than a month in the hospital with all the attendant global hysteria. It is ever refreshing to read that Mandela is responding to treatment with a condition that is “critical but stable”. But it is time that admirers of the global icon accepted that immortality is not the way of Nelson Mandela and that what matters in the final analysis is Mandela’s deeds not his mortal. Immortality belongs to God! Talking about immortality, (ability to live forever, or eternal life) there are as many quotable quotes of Nelson Mandela on the inevitability of death and his preparedness for it perhaps as much as his words on the marble of freedom, liberty and struggle.
The famous speech by Nelson Mandela was at the 1964  Rivonia Trial  which sentenced him and others to life imprisonment for daring to overthrow the apartheid order. That historic Speech alluded to the inevitability of death as much as the desirability of freedom and liberty. He concluded the famous speech thus; “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.” It is a great paradox of fate that though he prepared to die, he indeed actually realized the vision of a free and democratic South Africa though with personal sacrifices of 27 years in prison. We should however remember that hundreds of thousands killed during apartheid were actually not as ‘lucky” as Nelson Mandela.
In 1996 in Documentary, Mandela said; “Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that efforts and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity”. And that is precisely what UN Mandela Day is all about; let’s put up some efforts for our people and country so that we can sleep for eternity. The overreaching “objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good.
Ultimately the day seeks to empower communities everywhere”. At 95 Nelson Mandela even on a sick bed remains a living moral authority with such global outreach that many a canonized saint hardly covered. There are scores of retired and even serving Heads of states whose birthdays and even health conditions are of no relevance to humanity. What then makes Nelson Mandela special? It is remarkable that though Mandela was the President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, he is less remembered for his presidency (which he commendably left after an eventful one term, not third term!). His enduring legacy was his unique ability to forgive those who jailed him for 27 years and for being a symbol of reconciliation in a nation polarized along ethnic, racial and class cleavages. Though South Africa still remains a polarized country, the Mandela brand has become a metaphor linking all the polarities in the country together and somehow reminding each of the contending elements of the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness and reconciliation.
This is his greatest legacy to South Africa in particular and to mankind in general. We are enjoined to spend 67 minutes on Thursday to do something positive to serve humanity as part of Mandela Day activities. Here at home, it will be healing for Nigeria’s democracy if President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amaechi embrace, truly reconcile and resume statesmanship in the spirit of Nelson Mandela 95th birthday celebration. And this peaceful gesture to serve humanity by all our warring politicians can be done less than 67 minutes. Happy birthday in advance Madiba!