Madiba

This week has been one of the saddest weeks for us as a country.

It is and will be a week we all remember. 

For, who can forget the very place we were when we heard the news.

We have come, at last, to that place.

 The place we all anticipated and thought about. 

 The death of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Madiba. 

Tata.

The passing away of Madiba was no surprise but like every death it, was a shock. 

I was on my way to school to collect reports. it was very early. I turned on the radio and wham!!

There it was. 

The sad and real news

Madiba was dead.

 Over these passed few days I have been listening to the radio and all the many different angles that each programme has taken. It has been cathartic and good to reflect back. I am reminded again from where we have come as a nation. Those dark and painful, evil days where Apartheid ruled. The many, many who have spoken of those days have somehow transported us back to those days.   I think it is good to go back there and reflect. To think about what we were and what we are becoming 

To think about how far we have come and how much we have accomplished.

Of course Madiba was not the only 'hero' of the time. There were many other strong men and women who stood shoulder to shoulder with him. They shared life together. They planned and executed their plans -together. But somehow , Madiba, emerged as the man who could and would encompass all of our hopes and dreams as one , united nation. 

The rainbow nation as we were called in the 1990's.

I like that. It has a good and whole feel to it. 

Those who have spoken about the man. Nelson Mandela, have all shared something of his wonderful character. His humility, his sense of humor, his  kindness and of course his offer of forgiveness towards those who worked for his end and his ill. I agree with one commentator who suggested that he did not really set SA free but rather showed us what we could be , so that we set ourselves free. That sounds pretty much like the Madiba we all knew and loved. The man who never claimed any glory for himself. A man who chose to step down as president  after his first term in office. He was an example of a life well lived.

I know he was not perfect. He was just a man after all. 

There is however something about the way he approached life that is compelling.  He lived his life true to his conscience and convictions and that is something rare and special.

Not only did he do that but he touched other peoples lives in a unique and wonderful way. Even those who did not agree with his politics, were transformed by a meeting with him.

He was a tall man.

I remember 'bumping' into him one night shortly after his release. He was calmly walking through a local JHB shopping center.  We just could not believe out=r eyes. We greeted him and moved on. I remember thinking how tall  he was and how kind his eyes were. 

 I have been pondering what to do to mark this time. We have had some great conversations with our boys about times gone past. It is so very difficult for them to truly understand who he is and what he helped us become.  But I think we can try and help them to see just a glimmer.

So this blog post is a small little tribute to a tiny aspect of his life. I have written about him before and my life and reflections as a young South African growing up in the 1970 and 1980's.

There are many books assailable about Nelson Mandela but one of the best is his Long Walk to Freedom. We have many different copies of it in our home including the abridged version which I recommend for children who are good readers.

Today we say farewell as a country with a memorial service. over 100 heads of states have landed on African soil to bid their farewells.  We share a great man with the world. 

On Saturday the ANC say goodbye to their leader and friend, their comrade. I would love to be present and experience that moment. Singing with his fellow comrades - Hamba Kahle!

Then, he has his family funeral full of all the traditions that adorn his family and culture. He will be laid to rest in Qunu, the very place that brought him forth. From humble beginnings he returns to those very same humble beginnings.

So, along side many fellow South Africans we will be doing some of the things planned for us as a country. We will say our goodbye s too. We are going to share the morning and memorial with a good friend and fellow South African - another who feels very deeply or the issues in our land. 

 And yet... my heart feels so heavy and sad for the loss of this great man. I pray that we will be re-encouraged to unite and work together for our nation. I pray that as we reflect, tomorrow and into the years ahead, the legacy that he leaves behind will live on though the generations who follow.

Thank you Lord Jesus for giving South Africa such a man as this. May his legacy live on in us.May you raise up many others like him who can serve and lead with integrity.

 Farrell 

 Hamba Kahle Tata -- a real servant leader.

 These are some of the artworks we completed in the July Holidays. So very timely!!