Nelson Mandela: Words weren’t just said…

Many Say…

…but act none or at their very best, very little. 

With his demise, African leaders, now and in the future, would continue to employ the unprecedented attributes and achievement defined and reached by Mandela in their strive for political success, but the success of such employ and political quest would be measured by how effectively they breathed life in their manifesto or perhaps, political sweet talk.

In addition, Nelson Mandela’s intelligently delivered and resounding quotes, phrases and words of wisdom would always serve as food for thoughts to the electorates prior to elections all over Africa, as he breathe air to all words spoken in the course of his strive for the freedom of South Africans, which largely culminated with him being the first Black president of the Rainbow nation. 

Indeed, Madiba, the illustrious son of Africa, stood out at pragmatically exemplifying his words, a trait that is uncommon among African leaders widely known to be sweet talkers.

The World Salutes…

…Mandela. Beyond the political space, to the social and sporting world, the widespread salute in honour of his iconic feat, is nothing but unprecedented. From the global political space to the sporting world, entailing football, rugby to mention 2, the death of Mandela had these spheres of human endeavours paying their last respect for him, as his effect in the world is simply immeasurable. 

As CNN put it…“they gathered in the tens of thousands – presidents, prime ministers, royals, celebrities and ordinary South Africans – all united to say farewell to a man hailed as a global symbol of reconciliation.”   

Prior to the memorial service in his honour, the sporting world, especially football and rugby had a minute silent observed before the kick off of matches played in the course of the week and weekend sequel to the announcement of his death.

The English Premier League, precisely the weekend of December 7 – 8, 2013 and neighboring Scotland (Scottish Premier League) had all matches on Friday, December 6 – Friday December 7, 2013 honouring Mandela with a minute silent, applause and the black arm band, individually worn by all players on the pitch.

 

“Motherwell and Celtic players take part in a minute's applause in honour of Nelson Mandela before their Scottish Premier League football match at Fir Park Stadium. (Reuters)” – Courtesy: Ibtimes

  

Also, in the UEFA Champions League which had a handful of its matches played same day Mandela’s memorial service was held, a banner conspicuously denoting the caption - Madiba, the World will Never Forget You - was displayed in all 16 of the matches played that week (December 10 – 11, 2013).

Juventus (Italy) and Galatasaray (Turkey) paying tribute to Mandela before their UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, December 10, 2013.  

And in the world of rugby, 16 nations incidentally competed in round three of the HSBC Sevens World Series, held in the magnificent Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in the weekend following his death and al paid their last respect to him.

Prior to these matches, according to IRB Chairman, Bernard Lapasset said: “Mr Mandela was a truly remarkable man. I was honoured to be with him during the historic days of Rugby World Cup 1995 and saw his incredible impact on his nation and his people. His wisdom, intelligence and sheer presence was a wonder to behold. I am so proud that the Rugby family could play its small part in supporting Mr. Mandela's efforts to establish the new South Africa and that our tournament came to symbolise the emergence of a new nation. He changed the world and we were privileged to witness and embrace his work.” – IRB

These overwhelming moments of respect indeed speak on the individual Mandela is and not was, for though he is dead, the footprints left behind by him lives forever and would always be a bedrock to re-defining good leadership, especially in Africa. So far, neither have I heard nor read nor witnessed such acclaim for anyone at this level but with Mandela, an illustrious son of Africa, being at the receiving end, indeed, irrespective of the bad leadership Africa is polluted with, the continent has good leaders that are yet to be unearthed.

In as much as he is dead, the world would continue to salute the great footprints on good leadership left by him which entail him putting his life on the line, leading the Rainbow nation assiduously and uncharacteristically resigning after his first tenure in office (1994 – 1999), a leadership quality that is so uncommon among African leaders. The norm by African leaders is staying put in office beyond one’s tenure, which results in having Bully-presidents. 

Notable examples of such bully-presidents include Cameroun’s Paul Biya, 80 years old (31 years in office); Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, 89 years old, (26 years in office; ousted Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak, 85 years old (30 years in office), to mention just three.

Many words…

…weren’t just said but perfectly exemplified by Madiba himself. 

The difficulties encountered by Mandela in his 27 years imprisonment didn’t mar his struggle for the freedom in and of South Africa but strengthened it which all seemed “impossible until it was done.” 

He ”led from the Back, letting others believe they were in front”, a feature lagging in Africa, as many leaders never exude empathy nor put themselves in what the led are experiencing and as such, lead with no conscience. 

Also, with “Education being the most powerful weapon which one can use to change the world”, it only gets more worrying that African leaders seem to be unknowledgeable of this fact as their wide ranging approach to leadership, especially in achieving an optimally educated nation exudes that the continent lack “Real leaders who are ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.” For example on September 11, 2013, the vanguard, Nigeria, reported that the Nigerian Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, noted that Nigeria’s adult illiterates have increased from 25 million in 1997 to 35 million in 2013. The population of Nigeria is an estimated 170 million.

Mandela’s life as a Protester, Prisoner and Peacemaker, the 3 Ps by the TIME magazine (Commemorative issue, December 19, 2013) which summarises his tenacity in achieving the much needed freedom of Black South Africans from the brutal and anti-racial apartheid regime seats him as irrefutably being the greatest African leader that ever lived.

Nelson Mandela is indeed a man of many words. 

Rest in Peace Mandela.