If I’m accused of journalistic laziness today, I’ll plead guilty.
That’s because in recognizing yesterday’s birth anniversary of Nelson Mandela, one of the world’s foremost international Statesmen, I shall record what anyone can glean from Internet sources. (I’m doing this for all those interested but “lazy” to look it up, but it is also my genuine tribute to Madiba who turned 95 yesterday fighting to remain with us, on our plane, from his hospital bed.)
First, let me personalize this bio-sketch with two bits of relevant trivia: My England-based, very elder cousin Joyce who lived in Nigeria for decades, once accompanied a friend to South Africa to attend the funeral of one of Mandela’s sons. Joyce received an embrace from the Great Man. And I became so jealous of her. Mandela remains one of the few world leaders I would have loved to meet. (I did meet Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe; I’m glad I shook hands with Nkomo!)
I must also share that I marvelled at Morgan Freeman’s uncanny portrayal of Mandela in the movie Invictus. The real Mandela did meet Morgan after the beautiful production, set in post-apartheid South Africa.
Rolihlahla Madiba…
That’s his original name, “Rolihlahla”. Of the Madiba clan, he is of the Thembu people or tribe. His primary school teacher Miss Mdingane gave him the Christian name Nelson which the world became so familiar with.
Mandela’s life story is tailor-made for books, movies, music and stage. The phases of his life are each rich with spirit, intrigue, revolution, heroism, academia and integrity.
As President, the man was to typify an almost religious forgiveness matched by practical economic and political management in the interest of South Africa’s development.
Whilst studying for his first degree he “digressed” to join in a student protest. He therefore did not graduate from that first university college; but through another he did.
When his King became furious over the incident at his first College, the King (Jongintaba) threatened to find wives for Nelson and a cousin. The two fellows scampered! To Johannesburg! And there began the Mandela Odyssey of interrupted studies, activist membership of the African National Congress (ANC) wherein he founded the ANC Youth League, then formulated a more radical, mass-based agenda – The Programme of Action.
The story is a long one; culminating in the Rivonga Treason Trial in 1963. He and seven others were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was on trial many times before that for his Anti-apartheid activist activities. His was a passion for freedom for his people, born of the stories “of his ancestors’ valour during many wars of resistance” in early South Africa. He still managed to marry three times and there is the symbolism of inviting his Robben Island “favourite” jailer to his 1994 Presidential Inauguration!
Mandela and Racism
Apartheid was touted, by the White/Settler government as “separate development of the races”. Of course, that insidious, inhuman policy was so racist and unequal, it ranked alongside outright slavery as a travesty to mankind’s dignity.
Many still wonder that given all that the Whites threw at him, Mandela seems untainted by any racist tendency. Before I quote him perhaps someone can help me with something I have not researched: Did Mandela ever meet Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi? Long before Gandhi became the “Great Soul/Mahatma”, he lived, worked and struggled in South Africa.
In 1952, Madiba led an anti-apartheid defiance campaign which was a collaboration between the ANC and the South African Indian Congress. I’m still wondering. Help me, someone.
Mandela has written: No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate. And if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
Beautiful proven sentiment and truth! “Despite terrible provocation, Mandela never answered racism with racism. His life is an inspiration to all who are oppressed and deprived; to all who are opposed to oppression and deprivation.” Happy birthday Madiba!
Reform! Change!
Briefly put, I am now wise enough to appreciate just why this country and its citizens need constitutional and electoral reform. Since 2003, one sees the need to review and change many vital clauses in our constitution. The directive on how a government is formed and how the Elections Commission is constituted and staffed are two constitutional edicts that cry out for reformation. And those are merely two.
Where is the will? Are referenda needed? Go to it, politicians.
I came across documents that listed those who sat on Constitutional Review Committees in 1997 and 1999. So interesting are those names. I’ll return to the issue next Friday.
But Vincent Luther Alexander seems to stand out. He represented his PNC party on more than one “Reform” committee. He’s the same dude that revealed Gocool Boodoo’s alleged transgression to hand majority to the PPP. However, Editor-in-Chief/columnist Adam Harris – and a few other hundreds of savvy, interested voters – knew the unofficial but accurate poll results the morning after the polls closed. The parties and their candidates observed counting right in the polling places before the boxes were sent to GECOM. If Alexander is completely correct, that makes Gocool a fool, bold and brazen! Alexander’s intervention as Boodoo allegedly attempted to subvert, probably saved us from chaos. Is there not a little more to this story?
Real retirement? Here?
Another cousin of mine, Desmond from Bartica/McDoom/Agricola, has been living in the USA for forty-five (45) years. After real hard toil over those decades, he is now enjoying complete retirement.
Retirement? Complete retreat and withdrawal from daily work!? In other societies and cultures, folks do have the option to stop active labour and to live out their senior years doing what they like. Some even opt to continue light occupations so that they don’t rust! But here in “good” (?) old Guyana?
The seniors have to work ’til they drop! The economy and the suspect, inadequate welfare safety nets for the old, all determine no choice. A few years back a ninety-something years old “security guard” was killed at Linden. What was he doing toiling at night at that age? Our senior females who should be retirees and grannies have to slave out their golden years. What a “life!” Meanwhile, Cousin Desmond spends his senior period traversing this world on cruise ships twice or thrice a year.
He dropped in on McDoom/Agricola two weeks ago – after 32 years. Is this a place – his homeland – to retire to?
’Til next week!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
