Senators took turns yesterday to eulogise former South African President Nelson Mandela.
The upper chamber devoted the entire session to praise the foremost anti-apartheid crusader who died on December 5.
Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba raised a motion, which was co-sponsored by 107 other senators.
The motion was titled “Demise of Nelson Mandela”.
Senate President David Mark, who summarised contributions of majority of the lawmakers, said the greatest of all the tributes, the sum total of Mandela’s attributes, is “forgiveness.”
Mark said: “It (forgiveness) is an attribute that is difficult for human beings to acquire. Some seek power only to go and deal with those who offended them but that will not give you the spirit to unite the people.
“Some white people sold their property and other belongings and ran away when Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa but today they are regretting it.
“Mandela believed in a course and he was prepared to die for the course he believed in. Mandela did not waver. Leaders should not waver because it is the leader that will generate the followership. Once a leader is honest and fair, there will be followership.
“It is important that the western world that classified him as a terrorist and a communist are today falling over him. It shows that those who say crucify him, crucify him may tomorrow say hosanna, hosanna.
“There may never be another Mandela, but we have a lot of lessons to draw from this great son of Africa.
“There may never be another Mandela, but we can be small Mandela in our communities, villages and our homes.
Ndoma-Egba said the Senate received with shock the news of Mandela’s death on December 5 at 95.
He noted that Nelson Mandela was born on 18th July, 1918 to the Thembu royal family and attended the Fort Hare University and the University of Witwatersrand, where he studied law. Living in Johannesburg, he became involved in anti-colonial politics, joining the ANC and becoming a founding member of its Youth League.
Mandela rose to prominence in the ANC’s 1952 Defiance Campaign where he was appointed superintendent of the organisation’s Transvaal chapter. He presided over the 1955 Congress of the people.
Ndoma-Egba said that working as a lawyer, Mandela was repeatedly arrested for seditious activities and in 1962 was convicted of conspiracy to overthrow the state, sentenced to life imprisonment and ended up spending 27 years in prison before his release.
Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist whose dogged determination helped end apartheid in South Africa and the first to be elected in a fully representative democratic election and indeed the first black South African to hold the office of President, a position he held from 1994 to 1999 before he voluntarily decided not to re-contest, Ndoma-Egba said.
He said that Mandela also served as president of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1991 to 1997 and, internationally, Mandela was Secretary General of the Non-Aligned Movement from 1998 to 1999.
Mandela, the senator said, invited several other political parties to join the cabinet when he was in government and also set up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate past human rights abuses. His administration introduced measures to encourage land reform, combat poverty, and expand healthcare services.
Mandela’s government, he said, focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation.
Ndoma-Egba said that it was obvious that Mandela’s sterling qualities endeared him to his people as “he is held in deep respect within South Africa. He gained international acclaim for his activism, which earned him over 250 honours, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Soviet Order of Lenin and the Bharat Ratna.”
He urged the Senate to note that Mandela’s message of reconciliation and not vengeance is a great source of inspiration to the world.
“After his release from prison, he said: “As I walked out of the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” This quote remains a reference point in the lessons of forgiveness for generations to come” Ndoma-Egba said.
He said that Mandela declined to run for a second term, an uncommon feat, given the disposition of most African leaders.
“Mandela became an elder statesman, focusing on charitable work in combating poverty and HIV/AIDS through the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The Senate, he said, should resolve to observe one minute silence in Mandela’s honour and condole with the South African parliament.
The two prayers were unanimously adopted.
Other senators who paid tributes included Abdul Ningi, Nkechi Nwaogu, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Gbenga Kaka, Wilson Ake, Abubakar Bagudu, Andy Uba, Ita Enang, Ayogu Eze, Helen Esuene, Emmanuel Bwacha, Magnus Abe, Sola Adeyeye, and Uche Chukwumerije.
