A remarkable man

19.FEB.10

Last week the people of the world commemorated the 20th anniversary of one of the great moments of history, the release from 27 years of captivity of one of the giants of human history, Nelson Mandela. Fittingly, Mandela’s release came in the month of February, the month that we in the western hemisphere celebrate as Black History Month. It also falls between two important dates on the Black calendar: January 16, the birthdate of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, and February 21, the date of the assassination of another outstanding Black leader, Malcolm X.{{more}}

Much has been and will continue to be written about the significance of the release from prison of Mr. Mandela, and the massive implication it had for the course of the political, economic and social landscape in Southern Africa and, indeed, the rest of the world. His release was due to no “kind-heartedness” on the part of the racists who then ruled South Africa under the inhumane system of apartheid, but rather was a product of heroic resistance on the part of the African population, inspired by Mandela’s steadfast opposition to oppression and massive international solidarity and mobilisation. It is now accepted that had Mandela not been released then, South Africa would have erupted in bloody civil war, with grave implications for world peace.

When Mandela walked from confinement on February 11, 1990, the world itself was in the throes of momentous changes. The Berlin Wall, that symbol of a cold war rivalry that had taken the world to the brink of nuclear disaster, had come tumbling down one year earlier and over the next year or two, the entire political landscape of Europe was to undergo profound change. The last leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 as a result of his role in bringing democracy to Eastern Europe and in avoiding both a bloodbath and possible war on the world stage. Mandela himself was to be similarly awarded three years later.

Amazingly, Mandela shared the award with the leader of the apartheid state, F.W. de Klerk. It would have been well-nigh impossible, a mere four years before, that the head of such an abusive state would ever be even invited to a Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, much more being a recipient of this award for outstanding contribution to world peace. It was Mandela who made this possible, being open and far-sighted enough to be able to engage in negotiations with the racists, yet firm enough to stick to the principles of unbridled freedom for his people. It was his statesmanship which enabled de Klerk to get a way out of the fratricide which would surely have ensued.

In this, Mandela demonstrated another of his unique qualities, that of forgiveness, for he held, nor does he hold today any grudge against those who imprisoned him for almost three decades, murdered and virtually enslaved his people, destroyed his family life, and had it not been for his own fortitude, could have destroyed his own as well. He forgave DeKlerk and his jailor. Not many people on earth today could rise to such heights. But there is more, much more to the character of this remarkable man. There is his magnanimity, displayed when South Africa hosted the World Rugby Cup and Blacks tended to turn their backs, having been shut out of this “Whites only” sport. He donned a Springbok (South African rugby) cap and encouraged all his people to embrace the effort as one nation. That unity of the nation is an undying principle of his. Even after retirement and in his eighties, he gave unstinting support, up-front, to the successful efforts of South Africa to host this year’s World soccer Cup.

Finally, Mandela has set the highest standards for behaviour in public office. He handled what could have been messy personal situations with his former wife, Winnie, with dignity and to the end led by powerful example. He has left one such example that leaders all over the world would do well to emulate. He knew when his time was up, and left at the end of his term in office. Gaddaffi, in Libya, in power since 1969, has not yet been able to do so, Mugabe hangs on by the chains of oppression. Even in the Caribbean, leaders who have had their day, don’t seem to know it. Ebenezer Joshua almost nullified the glory of his achievements by hanging on until ignominious political defeat; Compton returned, only to die in office and leave his country in chaos; Kenny Anthony came to power promising only two terms, changed his mind and ended up in Opposition. Circumstances may differ, but Mandela has shown that principle lasts.