A tribute to Mandela At 94 By Justine John DYIKUK

Madiba celebrates 94 years Birthday

The African continent Wednesday
July 18, 2012, celebrates Nelson
Madiba Mandela. The nonagenarian
is no doubt a man of many
distinctions. The air around this
region is crystal in admiration and
adulation of one who sacrificed
comfort and pleasure for the land of
his ancestry. The story of Africa
cannot be complete without a
mention of Madiba. His birthday is
legendry; one of continental
dimensions yet of transformational
and motivational proportions.
This piece reflects on the heroic
feats of this humble servant of
South African pedigree using all he
stands for in challenging our
contemporary African leaders and as
medicine for our current madness.
This eulogical and polemical write-
up intends to enrich present and
future Africans for purposeful
leadership in salvaging our people
from the shackles of poverty,
anarchy and doom.
Man of the moment
The anti-apartheid icon also known
as, Rolihlahla was born on 18 July
1918. He fought the racist rule. In
1962 he was accused of sabotage,
other similar offenses and
sentenced to life imprisonment for
twenty seven years on Robben
Island. After his years in the prison,
he contested election and was voted
by his people which saw him
serving his country as its first black
President for five-years (1994-
1999). Before his election, he was
an anti-apartheid leader and co-
founder of unikhonto we sizwe, the
armed wing of the African National
Congress (ACN).
As the new President, the lawyer
gave priority to reconciliation and
introduction of policies aimed at
reducing poverty and eradication
inequality. In South Africa, he has
received more than 250 awards
over four decades. One which
speaks volume is the most
celebrated, Noble Peace Laureate he
received. It is essential to recall a
little about a man who has inspired
and continues to inspire countless
number of people worldwide.
Madiba’s Marathonic Memento
Madiba’s life is characterized by
longevity and beautiful strides
which is why many eulogize him.
His, is not a story of South of Africa
alone, but one that goes beyond the
shores of black Africa. That he is
legend of legends is an
understatement. This Pan African is
remembered for:
Struggle Against Apartheid: The
young dogged and daring Mandela
defied time, self-comfort (family,
friends, ambition) and
circumstances to suffer for the
liberation of his people. He, it was,
who drew the curtains of the
apartheid regime which hitherto
made Africans slaves in their place
of parentage. In the life of this man
of humane courage, we discover the
virtues of patience and
perseverance. His life is
characterized by decolonization and
black freedom. Mandela epitomized
Pan Africanism.
Many encomiums on the social
utility, Facebook, describing this
freedom fighter are worthy of note:
Kevin Diment says, “Nelson
Mandela stand(s) for freedom from
oppression, a new understanding
that we are all meant to be together
in this world, no matter what colour,
creed or gender we are.” Similarly,
Idowu Babagbemi says, “if you
know your history and the meaning
of the fight for decolonization and
black freedom, then you will know
what Mandela did.”
Purposeful Leadership: The
Mandela story is one of incarnation
from ‘grass to grace.’ After his
release from prison custody, upon
the people’s recommendation, he
offered to serve as President of the
new South Africa which saw
purposeful leadership greased with
the oils of dedication and service
oriented principles. His experience
of incarceration made him ‘a
professor of life’ haven drank from
its well. Little wonder then, Rabiul
Hussain calls him an “African idol of
an international golden Oscar.”
Barack Obama beautifully refers to
him as “a man of unbreakable
will.”
Exit as at when due: This idol
would not allow himself to be carried
away by power. Haven served his
people to the best of his ability for a
five-year term (1994- 1999), he
exited the scene but availed his
humanitarian services both in
private and public to his people and
for the good of all. He is one out of
the many ‘tight-fisted’ African
leaders, who hold on to power like a
hungry monkey for ripened banana,
who exited the scene when the
ovation was loudest. What can be
more matured!
Reconciler: He was not embittered
by his dungeon years but broke
from the bitterness of the past to an
all-embracing father who tried to
carry all along. He was an eye to the
blind within and outside his country.
He left big shoes for South African’s
ACN leaders Jacob Zuma and Julius
Malema. He tried to bring his
nationals together to form a new
liberated South Africa focusing on
reconciliation, reduction of poverty
and promoting equality among all.
He played vital roles in various war-
ton countries especially, Burundi.
Malaise/Madness, our
As we joyfully celebrate this
iconoclast and quintessential
statesman, we mournfully decry
what the writer refers to as ‘black
leadership’ on the African Continent.
From South Africa to North Africa,
West Africa to East Africa not leaving
out Central Africa, the story isn’t too
different.
Scientifically, the western world
describes Africa States as third
world countries or the
underdeveloped world.
Democratically, one often hears
nascent democracy; economically,
we are tagged, developing
economies. Many social analysts
have ascribed our problem to poor
leadership and the resultant effects
being poverty, literacy and
underdevelopment.
Globally, Africa has come to be
associated with bribery and
corruption typified by looting of
public funds to foreign banks, gorgy
scenes of malnourished children,
skeleton-like creatures hacked by
the ravages of war, HIV Aids and
malnutrition; other evils include;
high child mortality rate, child
trafficking, prostitution to mention
just a few.
Experience has revealed some
African leaders with a style of
leadership short of the best and
painfully described as the worst.
Where leaders steal the people’s
votes, force their way into office,
perpetuate themselves in position of
power and eliminate any possible
opposition, one cannot but turn to
the gods for a miracle. The proverb
“those whom the gods want to kill
they first make mad,” readily comes
to mind.
Medicine, our
As we roll out the drums for the
man of the moment, one calls on all
on the shores of Africa and beyond
to reflect on the ideologies of this
disciple of purposeful sacrifice. The
life and exemplary life of, the father
of Africa, as some call him is a big
challenge to both leaders and the
led within and outside our enclave.
While thumbs are up for him, young
Africans who regard him as a role
model, an idol, a transformer;
inspirator, liberator and true leader
must not be misled by the bad
example of some of our selfish
leaders but be transformed and
inspired by his ideals. Do other
African leaders ever think of
inspiring the young, striving for
developments of monumental
magnitude and leaving behind
legacies? Will the likes of Al Bashir
and Robert Mugabe be so
celebrated when they leave office?
Africa must use this birthday as a
day for unification and solidarity.
The African Union (AU) should move
from rhetoric to concrete action in
the struggle against poverty,
disease, food security, security of
lives and property and overall
development within the continent.
Being our brother’s keeper is only a
part of our rich African heritage and
no modernity or secularism should
wipe that!
Mandela met with world celebrities,
religious leaders as well as great
political leaders like; Spice Girl and
Michael Jackson; Pope John Paul II
and Dalai Lami; Bill Clinton and
Margaret Thatcher. The Mandela
day is an initiative of the Mandela
Foundation which encourages
everyone to devote 67 minutes of
their time in recognition of his 67
years of service to humanity.
Suffice it to say that some of his
critics claim he is Pro-Castro and
never sides with Cuban democrats.
Others have accused his fellow ACN
leaders of corruption, scandal and
eliminating white farmers. Shall the
bowels be flushed along with its
content? Far from it! As Olubajo
Julius sums it up, let Africa arise to
celebrate “a quintessential
statesman par excellence – an
iconoclast, a truly great African
leader. A worthy hero,” – Happy
birthday, Madiba Mandela – Viva
Africa!
Fr. Justine John DYIKUK, a
Catholic Priest, Freelance writer/
poet and Public Affairs
Commentator writes from CIWA,
Port Harcourt!
Emails: justdyik@yahoo.com or
justinejohndyikuk@gmail.com
You can follow me on Twitter: @
just4realsquare

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