DEAR Editor,-
The man who was the country’s moral lodestone can no longer point the way. But, we remember with absolute clarity the road he constantly urged us along. Nelson Mandela will not be remembered merely as a politician but his memory will shine as the first true statesman this country has ever known. Indeed, his statesmanship is acknowledged worldwide and rightly so.
As a young fighter for his beliefs, he was doomed to spend a precious 27 years of his life cocooned as a virtual pupa. He emerged a glorious butterfly and captured the rainbow nation’s love.
One of his most endearing characteristics was his accessibility. No one ever seemed to be turned away. Of course, we all know of his particular interest and concerns for young people and thousands benefited directly as a result.
To me, a white South African, I retain a deep sense of wonderment and gratitude at his genuine racial colour-blindness and his desire to forge our rainbow nation into a fully reconciled whole. I am sure this remains a milestone on the road he saw ahead of us and one we must reach if we are to fulfil his vision.
Leonardo da Vinci said: “Our lives are made by the deaths of others.” Let us pray that our lives will be enriched by the life of this great man and that his death will in no way turn us away from realising his dreams.
ROBIN G PIPER
Hibberdene
