Oh ! behold Africa weeps, she weeps and there is none to dry her tears. She weeps and there is none to comfort her. She weeps because her son is no more. Madiba is gone ! Madiba has run his course, he has finished his race and yet there are no brothers to comfort his mother, his brethren or his children. Yes, none to say weep not !, for we are able to step into Madiba's shoes.
None to say weep not for we can and would continue with Madiba's legacy.
Why is this so? Madiba stood tall and his spoke in a thunderous voice. A voice thunderous but yet gentle, voice audible enough for the deaf to hear and brilliant enough for the blind to see. Yet, his juniors who today would have been his brothers were too deaf to hear and too blind to see that Madiba was not about himself but about his people. It was his self sacrifice for his people that got him up on to that pedestal of greatness. It was his genuine love, care and concern for the common man that catapulted Madiba to the status of a Man's man, a true warrior, a hero, a father, a mentor, a friend and finally, a human being.
Madiba's push of "Ubuntu" humanity to human beings, his clear understanding that one foot cannot go forward without the other and expect the body to remain in place. His understanding that the center would never hold when things fall apart。Ｈｉｓ understanding and belief that regardless of the sufferings that were inflicted upon the black man by apartheid love must triumph over hate. His clear understanding that love and forgiveness are by far greater than hate and revenge and that regardless of what we suffer, our daily lives must be governed by love, is a strong reason why Madiba's name would live on, not just in the history books but in the minds and consciousness of a great many people.
Madiba's understanding that governing a people has nothing to do with acquiring Mercedes Benz cars for ones private benefit. He never saw his being in office as an opportunity to reward himself to the 27 years spent behind bars fighting for equality and justice. Madiba did not covert leadership or statesmanship like that Owu man who not only made himself the minister for petroleum whilst still in office as president but also looted his nations treasury to compensate himself for the months spent in jail.
Madiba sacrificed himself till the very end NEVER thinking of reward. His reward was the smiles and happiness that his effort, his actions made happen for people by removing to the extent possible their sufferings and pains. He was constantly thinking of how to better the lives of the masses. He was constantly working on how to improve the inter-racial relationship not only in that rainbow country of South Africa but as much as possible, the world over.
Madiba truly cared about the plight and rights of the common man. He always believed that the common man had equal rights to the resources of the country and thus must be given of and must part-take of all the benefits that were to accrue or accrued from proper management of the resources of the nation. He truly cared about the welfare of the common people. His life was a life dedicated to service.
Africa weeps because her son is no more. She weeps because he has gone to rest and would not be aroused from his sleep. Africa weeps because the last upright African leader is gone. Gone to meet with his brothers who slept before him haven run their course, some to the fullest and others having their race cut short, felled by the enemies of righteousness, right standing and truth, felled by the enemies of humanity.
Madiba!, Oh Madiba! could you not strive for 10 more years ?. Now, to whom shall these wandering, confused, lost leaders of Africa go to seek sound counsel ?. Africa now walks the path of doom except and only except some of the younger generations who sat at your feet would grow bold and strong willed, ready to follow your legacy in the pursuit of equality, justice and good leadership. If only like Madiba, they would be willing to say "if I perish, I perish" but I would not be corrupted and I would not be dissuaded from seeking and pursuing that which is true and right.
If ONLY..........then Africa would smile again on her children and Madiba would smile with her from the great beyond.
Adieu MADIBA !
Adieu Nelson !
Adieu Rolihlala !
Adieu Mandela !
NELSON ROLIHLALA MANDELA 18th July 1918 - 5th December 2013
The youth of Africa are grateful for your leadership, uprightness and the guiding principles you taught us. You spoke and walked in the cloak of TRUTH. You would be remembered as a true son, friend, companion, mentor and Father.
Farewell. Nelson Rolihlala Mandela.
African bids Madiba good night. Rest in peace MADIBA .
AMANDLA ! ! ! ! !
AWETHU !!!!!!!!!!!
AMANDLA ! ! ! ! !
NGAWETHU ! ! ! ! ! !