The Last Of A Dying Breed

What does one write on one's debut as a blogger?

As a South African I am fortunate to subsist on a continent known for its mysteries and natural beauty. Unfortunately, we as many other countries in the world are burdened with the legacy of colonialism and racism.

My country is also the birthplace of the last thoroughbred of a dying breed namely statesmen.

In a world dominated by self serving politicians and corporate profit at the expense of the population, Nelson Mandela stands out as true statesmen.

Convicted of high treason during the Rivonia trial of 1962, for rebelling against the white minority government, he was endangered of being executed for what he believed in. Fortunately for us his life was spared and sent to life imprisonment at Robben Island on the west coast of South Africa.

He spent 27 years as prisoner of a government which believed that white and black cannot enjoy equal rights in the country of their birth. Draconian racial laws were imposed on the black majority, depriving them of basic rights like freedom of movement and speech. The only other country comparing to our former style of government is Israel. Since the late 1800's the Palestinian Arabs were butchered into submission. For me personally it is the worst comparison. Fortunately senses prevail and we turned away from the era of oppressive government to a democracy during the early 1990's.

Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990 Mandela became the conciliator. His message of reconciliation was in stark contrast with other African countries that won their independence from colonial governments. Many of these countries fell into the hands of oppressive dictators such as Idi Amin ( Uganda ) and Mobutu Sese Seko ( Zaire ) killing hundreds of thousands of their own people. Both these leaders died in exile.

Three decades after he was sent to life imprisonment Mandela was set to become the first democratically elected president of The Republic of South Africa. The revolutionaries and the masses were calling for retribution. Mandela, the true statesmen stood tall during this volatile period of our history and insisted that there will be no reprisal. Even after the assassination of Chris Hani, the leader of the South African Communist Party, at the hands of members of the far right, Mandela showed his worth under immense pressure from his followers calling for retribution.

In a speech after the assassination even though he was not yet president, Mandela appealed for calm:

" Tonight I am reaching out to every single South African, black and white, from the very depths of my being. A white man, full of prejudice and hate, came to our country and committed a deed so foul that our whole nation teeters on the brink of disaster. A white woman, of Afrikaner origin, risked her life so that we may know, and bring to justice the assassin. The cold blooded murder of Chris Hani has sent shock waves throughout the country and the world. Now is the time for all South Africans to stand together against those who, from any quarter, wish to destroy what Chris Hani gave his life to - the freedom for all of us."

After Mandela became president he kept his promise to serve only one term as democratically elected president of South Africa. This is unprecedented on a continent awash with self appointed dictators.

Mandela is now a frail man of 93 but still worthy. The man with royal blood in his veins and the spirit of a true African warrior came the full circle and will live his last days in dignity between his people. No death in exile for the Lion of Africa. He is beloved and will always be.

Great warrior of peace I miss your leadership in this corrupt political wasteland.