Hmmm, so here we are on the other side of the New South Africa but without our beloved Madiba :( It's sad to think of his passing... we knew the time would eventually come but who knows what this means for us or if we're prepared for it? Some people are speaking of a 'new era' or in a South African accent "a new error". The latter being substantially more thought-provoking and carrying with it an expert level of charming South African comedy - I'm personally rather taken with it!
In Mandela's hayday he fought against the Apartheid [government], not only for the freedom of his own race group but for the freedom and equality of all the people of our country. His enemy was tangible and measurable. We knew when the Apartheid fell and we've experienced incredible transformation in the last 20 years.
From the '94 Elections Mandela continued to lead us into the vision he held in his heart for a rainbow nation, a place where all the children would feel at home in Africa. He spearheaded reconciliation, humbling himself in all manners of relationships and in so doing, became a blessing to people all over the world, many whom never even had the opportunity to meet him.
To me it's shocking how little people are able to join the dots in understanding Mandela's life and how it applies to us now. I really think we'll be living in a "New Error" if we don't take reconciliation seriously; if we forget the values for which Mandela stood for and try to live by our new/superior motivations rather than the higher ideals for which he was motivated by.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, a man of Africa, loved stories and found joy in reading good books his whole life. This was a joy which he hoped to share with children, to inspire the next generation as he himself was inspired.
Nelson said, "All of us are experts in listening to stories. All of us have the potential to be experts in telling stories and in reading stories."
Nelson Mandela had a great deal of patience with people as he listened to their stories and took the time to formulate and share his own. Through story-telling I believe he was able to bring understanding between people groups, to share traditions, beliefs and provide education for people's hearts, perhaps a more important education than the one which school's provide.
I think we currently still live in a time when people are afraid to share their stories, where we judge one another before we listen or understand one another. We live in a time when everyone would seek to be your president and tell you how to live your life. We compare our lives by what we see on Facebook instead of what we hear coming from the hearts of the people around us.
Our modern enemy isn't out there, an independent force impeding our freedom. Our modern enemy is far less tangible - a struggle within ourselves. Will we strive to fulfil the true desires of our hearts, or will we use our freedom for pursuing short-term pleasures which only serve to prop us up momentarily in the eyes of our peers?
What will the children learn from us? Do they know love? Do they know forgiveness and reconciliation? Do they know compassion for those who are worse off? And even for those who are only marginally worse off?
There is so much we can discuss when it comes to remembering and living out the legacy of Nelson Mandela but perhaps in our own lives we need simply to focus on listening to the the stories of others, sharing our own stories and reading (and learning from) the stories of those who have gone before us. And perhaps through this avenue which our dear Madiba showed us we can continue to grow love between us, as well as learn to find freedom and peace within ourselves, just as he did.
Let's be sure to steer clear of the "New Error" of separating Mandela from his ideals and honouring him only a historical figure, but rather to always keep in mind the ideals which he would have us use our freedoms for and who knows what great things this generation will be able to accomplish?
Happy Reconciliation Day, South Africa! May you grow evermore colourful, may you continue to build bridges across socio-economic boundaries and may you continue to share your stories, funny and whole-heartedly African, with the rest of the world!
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.
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/h/hate_quotes.html#EdlD1E3U8FLBQgUD.99
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/h/hate_quotes.html#EdlD1E3U8FLBQgUD.99
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.
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/h/hate_quotes.html#EdlD1E3U8FLBQgUD.99
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/h/hate_quotes.html#EdlD1E3U8FLBQgUD.99
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.
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/h/hate_quotes.html#EdlD1E3U8FLBQgUD.99
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/h/hate_quotes.html#EdlD1E3U8FLBQgUD.99
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.
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/h/hate_quotes.html#EdlD1E3U8FLBQgUD.99
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/h/hate_quotes.html#EdlD1E3U8FLBQgUD.99
