I would like to join the thousand of others to add my few words on Nelson Mandela - in my view the greatest leader I have seen in my lifetime.
To me the greatest thing about him was his vision of the society of the Rainbow Nation which could also be the blue print of the world in general. While there have been other leaders who have suffered long , severe prison sentences and who have fought for independence there are very few who have been able to achieve what he has .
Perhaps it is the very composition of the South African nation where you have people of all colors, races and religions which has lead to it becoming the cradle for two of the greatest inspirational leaders the world has seen in the last century- Gandhi and Mandela. Both leaders showed grace in not showing enmity toward their former captors at whose hand they suffered long terms of imprisonment.
The difference between the two was that Gandhi used the satyagraha , non violent movement to help achieve independence for India. Unfortunately some fanatics put an end to his efforts to be the moral beacon to both the newly created nations. Mandela on the other hand was not fighting for independence but for the right for society to be treated as equal regardless of color, race or religion.
While he helped India achieve independence, Gandhi unfortunately failed in convincing his fellow Congress party colleagues to keep India together and lead to the creation of two nations who are now enemies. Mandela on the other hand ensured that South Africa did not go down the path of other African nations such as Zimbabwe which lead to the path of destruction. His message to the South African population was that everyone had a right to be a South African and should live in peace and harmony.The Rainbow was an apt metaphor for the world's society and his vision is something the rest of the world should aspire to.
The mourning or should I say the celebration of his life not just among the entire South African population, but around the world, regardless of race, religion and color, shows the regard and affection which they had for Nelson Mandela.
Also unlike other "leaders" who assume that because of the hardships they suffered, they should be rewarded by lifetime recognition and appointed life time Presidents , long outliving their sell by date. Nelson Mandela served one term as President and voluntarily stepped down.This should be a role model for other politicians, leaders and dictators.
I hope the present and upcoming leaders of South Africa will adhere to the Madiba's vision , although there are already signs among the younger crop who are beginning to exercise their " right of entitlement" . It will be sad to see his vision being lost and South Africa going the same way as other countries .
In the meantime like thousand of others I could not but help shed tears at the passing away of the world's beloved Madiba.
To me the greatest thing about him was his vision of the society of the Rainbow Nation which could also be the blue print of the world in general. While there have been other leaders who have suffered long , severe prison sentences and who have fought for independence there are very few who have been able to achieve what he has .
Perhaps it is the very composition of the South African nation where you have people of all colors, races and religions which has lead to it becoming the cradle for two of the greatest inspirational leaders the world has seen in the last century- Gandhi and Mandela. Both leaders showed grace in not showing enmity toward their former captors at whose hand they suffered long terms of imprisonment.
The difference between the two was that Gandhi used the satyagraha , non violent movement to help achieve independence for India. Unfortunately some fanatics put an end to his efforts to be the moral beacon to both the newly created nations. Mandela on the other hand was not fighting for independence but for the right for society to be treated as equal regardless of color, race or religion.
While he helped India achieve independence, Gandhi unfortunately failed in convincing his fellow Congress party colleagues to keep India together and lead to the creation of two nations who are now enemies. Mandela on the other hand ensured that South Africa did not go down the path of other African nations such as Zimbabwe which lead to the path of destruction. His message to the South African population was that everyone had a right to be a South African and should live in peace and harmony.The Rainbow was an apt metaphor for the world's society and his vision is something the rest of the world should aspire to.
The mourning or should I say the celebration of his life not just among the entire South African population, but around the world, regardless of race, religion and color, shows the regard and affection which they had for Nelson Mandela.
Also unlike other "leaders" who assume that because of the hardships they suffered, they should be rewarded by lifetime recognition and appointed life time Presidents , long outliving their sell by date. Nelson Mandela served one term as President and voluntarily stepped down.This should be a role model for other politicians, leaders and dictators.
I hope the present and upcoming leaders of South Africa will adhere to the Madiba's vision , although there are already signs among the younger crop who are beginning to exercise their " right of entitlement" . It will be sad to see his vision being lost and South Africa going the same way as other countries .
In the meantime like thousand of others I could not but help shed tears at the passing away of the world's beloved Madiba.
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