Two Bits – 13 December 2013

All the outpourings of grief, all the eulogies, all the words of praise of President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, of Madiba, have been overwhelming in the few days since his death last Thursday night.
But of all of these, one simple sentence stands out. US president Barack Obama said: “Never discount the difference that one person can make.”
Many, many people contributed to building the new South Africa, to moving away from a dark and shameful past towards a new democratic solution. But in the end it was one man who made the crucial difference between hate and revenge and plunder on the one hand, and forgiveness and acceptance and love on the other.
Mandela could have vowed death and destruction on his old enemy, and the world wouldn’t have been too surprised. But after 27 years in prison he came out, this towering leader, full of forgiveness and love and smiles. And that surprised the hell out of the world.
Everybody has heard the old adage “It’s easier to attract bees with honey than with vinegar,” but few have witnessed a statesman actually doing it.
And there is no doubt that Mandela was a world leader. Every government, every newspaper, TV and radio station across the world has marked his passing and is celebrating his life. It’s extraordinary, don’t you agree, that we have been able to witness closeup the actions of this towering colossus of a man.
Every one of us, I am sure, has also experienced a sinking feeling of “What now?” Well, of all the countless interviews and quotations that we’ve all seen over the past week, one remark struck a note for me. He told an interviewer a few years ago: “I saw that the task of the ANC was to unite the African people and build a nation out of them.” (with the emphasis on ‘unite’). Interesting how our great leaders – Shaka, Luthuli, Mandela, gained so much of their strength through uniting people, bringing groups together.
How much has changed in the past 20 years? Some, but not enough. On the surface we are politically free, but still shackled to the past. Many are wealthier, with flashy cars, houses and bling, but a stone’s throw away there is absolute poverty. There is crime, there is corruption, there is looting of the public purse.
But there is also hope. Where, you ask? I think we create our own hope. Nelson Mandela was filled with hope. He had to be, to behave as he did. South Africa as a nation has to find a way of moving forward without him, if we can only remain true to his spirit. He can still be our guiding star.
Never discount the difference that one person can make.
Hamba kahle, Madiba.
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Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.
– Nelson Mandela