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Tag: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

  • Mandela’s $4.1m estate

    Mandela’s $4.1m estate

    Again, our politicians have another lesson to learn from this man who shaped the world

    If ever a man fought for his country, it was Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela; if ever a man lived for his country, it was Nelson Mandela; if ever a man dreamt for his country, it was Nelson Mandela; if ever a man brought fame to his country, it was Nelson Mandela; if ever a man died for his country, it was Nelson Mandela. If ever there was anything called struggle, Mandela personified that thing. Indeed, the struggle was his life. He was in and out of jail for his country; harassed and humiliated by the apartheid overlords. The highpoint of his sacrifice was his 28-year tenure in prison, which was characterised by the cruelty of Afrikaner guards, backbreaking labour, and sleeping in minuscule cells which were nearly uninhabitable.

    Yet, this great man that many other great men could not unlace his shoes did not amass the kind of mindboggling wealth that many politicians who have had the privilege of becoming president on the African continent are wont to amass. It is another plus for Nelson Mandela that when his will was read last Monday, all he could boast of was $4.13million (£2.53m) in estate, with a substantial part of this coming from royalties on his books.

    The estate includes an upmarket house in Johannesburg, a modest dwelling in his rural Eastern Cape home province and royalties from book sales, including his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, first published in 1995. Signed copies of this autobiography have been collectible for many years. Indeed, a signed Easton Press edition of it sold for $7,000 on AbeBooks.com. This deluxe edition was published in 2000. Another signed Easton Press edition of the title also sold for $6,475 immediately the great leader died. Millions of the book had been sold worldwide and this translates to a lot by way of royalties.

    Of course one should not be surprised that Mandela was probably not worth more than this; (probably because, according to Executor Justice Dikgang Moseneke who spoke at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, the 46m rand ($4.13million) estate was based on “rough and ready estimates” and the final amount could be very different.”We are yet to get down to the business of finding the asset, listing them and valuing them and accurately reflecting them. We have a duty to file a provisional inventory.”

    By African standards, this is a record low. African leaders are usually stupendously rich after a few years in government, without producing anything except poverty and squalor. Take Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasongo for example. Mbasongo, according to reports by the U.S Permanent Sub-Committee on Investigations, personally siphoned as much as 700 million (USD) in state funds deposited at Riggs Bank in Washington D.C. We also have historic looters like Zairean dictator, Mobutu Sese Sekou and Nigerian Gen. Sani Abacha, both late, who funnelled billions of dollars into Swiss accounts before their demise. The only ‘commodity’ Abacha peddled was his military uniform.

    However, if all Mandela left was this modest estate (even if it could be slightly higher), it is understandable. Not for him the kind of ostentatious lifestyle that many of his colleagues on the continent are known for. And this is the irony; for, one would have expected a man who spent about 28 years in prison to want to make up for all he could not enjoy while in jail, be it in terms of wealth, wine or women. And no one could have denied him these because we all knew that he was imprisoned not for a personal cause but in the course of his struggle to free his people from apartheid. So, it would not be a bad idea for him to ask the South African taxpayer to foot the bill of such lascivious wassails.

    We would be ridiculing Mandela and South Africans generally if we say that Nigeria is yet to produce a man who could lay claim to having sacrificed 30 per cent of what Mandela sacrificed for South Africa, for Nigeria. Yet, we see all manner of characters making spurious claims concerning their contributions to the country’s development, whereas what they could, in all honesty, lay undisputed claim to is its underdevelopment. Standards have been falling in the past three decades, with things only getting worse by the day, leading to where we are today.

    In Nigeria, someone would enter government house barefooted or in bathroom slippers today and come out in golden shoes (that their salaries that we know can never buy) the next day. Many Nigerians will tell you that they do not have to spend eternity in power to hit their goldmine. They will ask for only six months and thereafter, their lives will never remain the same again. It is worse these days, when it seems, stealing has been liberalised and primitive accumulation pervades the land. People now steal without blinking an eyelid. Unlike in the Second Republic, those who steal now no longer steal in millions, they steal in billions. At the rate we are going, it is not unlikely that some people would hit (that is if they have not) the trillion naira mark of public funds that they have stolen or hope to steal.

    A typical ‘Nigerian Mandela’ would have insisted on life presidency after his release from prison. Mandela never did such a thing, despite his sacrifice for his country. As a matter of fact, after finishing his first term in office in 1999, there were pressures on him to seek a second. If he had wanted it, it would have been his with the snap of a finger. But Mandela refused to be led into that temptation; rather, he insisted on serving only one term. Some may say this should surprise no one because he was born into royalty; but many others in his shoes would have despised the revolution that he donated himself to for the easy life, after the prison experience. In Nigeria, people want to try third term even when the law says the maximum at a stretch is two.

    Mandela must have been led by the aphorism that it is good to leave the stage when the ovation is loudest. But in Nigeria, you find people who were unknown quantities before entering into politics wanting to stay put in power, even if they have to be carried on stretchers, with oxygen masks keeping them alive. I guess they won’t mind staying in office even after their demise; that is if ever death is in their reckoning!

  • Mandela: A man of peace now at peace

    Mandela: A man of peace now at peace

    Sir: Since the news of the exit of the greatest son of Africa, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, on December 5, at the age of 95, words have failed me to convey my heartfelt condolence to his wonderful family who will miss a caring patriarch, the people of South Africa, who will miss a guide, Africa who will miss a role model and the world at large who will miss a leader for such an irreplaceable loss.

    Even when we realise that death is the ultimate end for all creations, its emanation often leaves us with a painful pang and a deep sense of nostalgia. It hurts me very pointedly to know that a man of peace who is widely respected, loved and idolised for his passionate commitment to the freedom of his people is no more. He was so loved by his people and they wanted him to live forever. Even when it is obvious that his extinction from the world of the mortals was imminent, they did all within human limits to keep him going. But all that is now history as Mandela, a man who stands for democracy, freedom and equality is finally free from the uncertainties and troubles of this mortal word.

    One intriguing fact about this man who swallowed apartheid in victory, a man who asked with his loudest voice, “Apartheid where is your sting? apartheid government where is your victory?; was his ability to unconditionally forgive those who subjected him to 27 years, 324 months, 1,404 weeks, 9,869 days of untold hardship. This, of course, helped him to lay the foundation for a united and prosperous South Africa.

    But beyond this, let all Nigeria’s leaders and politicians learn and follow his exemplary legacy of true patriotism, selflessness, incalculable sacrifice, true democracy, politics of peace and unity, and unfeigned love and struggle for his people, for their own good and that of the entire nation.

    I find it difficult to say goodbye to Mandela. He may not be in our midst in the physical sense, but he will continue to live in our minds. Recalling one of his inspiring quotes on his twitter page gave me the assurance he is at peace. It read, “Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace”.

    Madiba, the perfect gentleman, even when the sun goes behind a cloud, we know it’s still there, even though you are gone, we know you’re still with us. Your memories will live on forever.

     

    •Solomon Babatunde Ogundimu,

    Federal University of Agric. Abeokuta.

  • How many Mandelas can Africa produce?

    A chapter has closed in the history of Africa, following the demise of the late Dr. Nelson Mandela, the former South African President. But have the African leaders learned any lesson from his life and times, particularly his attitude to power, public service orientation and vision of development? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the tragedy of power and leadership in the ‘dark continent’ and its consequences on the far-flung nations, which had made ‘Mandela years’ an exception.

    Africa has produced great political leaders. But the dark side of these statesmen is their addiction to power. That ‘sit tight syndrome’, according to critics, is the bane of leadership in the continent.

    However, Dr. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was an exception to the rule. For him, the lesson of power was instructive. Acknowledging its transient nature, the great man’s stint in the highest office as the President of South Africa was short-lived. After serving meritoriously for five years, he rejected the constitutional second term offer, thereby leaving when the ovation was loudest.

     

    Indomitable record

     

    In office, Mandela refrained from personalising power. He had inherited a divided country. Therefore, be set out as the pathfinder as the first non-racial President of South Africa. Apart from uniting the polarised polity, he set in motion the reconciliation process. In the twilight of life, primitive accumulation, the virtue of contemporary African leaders, was not his goal. Throughout his entire productive years, he had been behind bars. Yet, he did not perceive his position as an opportunity to recover lost grounds. Rejecting all temptations to loom large and convert the country into a fiefdom, he voluntarily stepped down to allow younger elements in the epic struggles to build on his foundation of transformation and renewal.

    Reflecting on the life of the freedom fighter, former Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, pointed out that, by bowing out of office honourably, Mandela trailed slightly behind former Senegalese leader, Leopold Senghor. But Senghor only left office, after almost two decades in power.

    Before his demise last week, Mandela had become a world hero. In Africa, every July 18 is now being celebrated as the ‘Mandela Day’, marking his contributions to the cause of world freedom and democratic development. But there are some puzzles: why are African leaders failing to exhibit the Mandela trait? Why is a great example not coming from Nigeria, the most populous country in the continent? Why is the Afriaca and the world not ascribing significance to the birthday of other former African Heads of State, allowing them to pass like any other day?

     

    Tragedy of leadership

     

    No African statesman has been honoured by humanity like Mandela. World leaders believe that the anti-apartheid crusader made the difference where many despots failed before they were swept away by the wind of democratic change.

    As independence days broke one after the other in Africa, the nationalist politicians who inherited power from the colonial masters showed a lot of promise. However, after few years in office, they grew wings. From Jean-Bedel Bokassa of Central African Republic to Charles Taylor of Liberia, the indigenous leadership inflicted much tragedy on the distressed countries. Their leaders became life Presidents, thereby denying the people the right to reject and change their unwanted leadership. As the soldiers displaced civilian authorities, African countries were caged. The military rulers performed worse than their civilian counterparts. Many of them left behind legacies of horror.

    Bukassa of Central African Republic, for example, indulged in extravagant life styles. His flamboyance was at the expense of his country. Instead of using the country’s wealth to fuel its development, he wasted them on private accumulation.

    Omar Bongo ruled Gabon from independence, until few years ago. His country is rich. But, the people were made poor by a single individual who monopolised state resources.

    Former President Gynasingbe Eyadema of Togo and Kamuzu Banda of Malawi adopted the same style. During their reign, there was political stability. But, it was not accompanied by economic progress.

    In Zaire, former President Mobutu Sese Seko converted his country into a personal estate. He also decreed the death of the opposition. Many critics lost their lives when the Head of State became the state.

    Field marshal Idi Amin ruled Uganda with the iron hand. He wrecked havoc on the treasury, brushing aside all fiscal measures that could stem economic decay . By the time soldiers like him were instigated by outside forces to get rid of him, Uganda was on its knee.

    Liberia suffered the same fate under the late Samuel Doe. Key figures, who opposed his misrule, were murdered. His cruelty provoked war in Liberia fought by rebel forces from all corners. Doe was succeeded by another despot, Taylor, who further inflicted pain on the citizens. Today, he is in jail for crime against humanity.

    Since 1980, when Zimbabwe achieved independence, President President Robert Mugabe has been in the saddle. Today, he is the lord of manor.

    When many of these countries were struggling under the tyranny of dictators, Mandela was in prison. When he left the prison, none of the despots was a role model to him. A leader of the dominant African National Congress (ANC), Mandela had been convicted on charges of sabotage and crimes at a time some of them came into office. For the 27 years that he spent in jail, many tense stories of their wanton corruption increased his agony behind bars. When he was released on February 11, 1990, he still met some of them as Presidents of their countries. More worrisome to him was that their countries were still on the same spot he left them 27 years ago.

    His country, South Africa, was battling with colour segregation. Mandela quickly supported reconciliation and negotiation. He consequently led his country’s transition to multi-racial democracy. On April 27, 1994, Mandela was elected in a representative democratic election. But, he only spent one successful term. His mission was accomplished when he laid the foundation for a durable democracy in South Africa. Mandela left office without blemish. He moved on to play greater roles in the resolution of conflicts across the globe. Today, he has 250 awards to his credit. The greatest is the Nobel Peace Prize awarded him in 1993.

     

    Nigeria’s bad example

     

    Nigeria has not lived to expectation, especially in the continental search for an inspiring leadership. Historians believe that a statesman who had the opportunity to make a greater impact is Obasanjo. But, unlike Mandela, after serving two terms as the civilian President, he bowed out, leaving the stage, amid the third term controversy. It is a self-inflicted wound for a continental leader and veteran aspirant for the post of the United Nations Secretary-General.

    Is Obasanjo a great leader or an impostor who craved for greatness without trying to fulfill its full requirements? The history of Nigeria is incomplete without the soldier-turned politician. At critical moments, fate had thrown him up for intervention in national affairs. Obasanjo’s commitment to national unity is undisputed. The gallant soldier, had, along with other patriotic soldiers, saved Nigeria from disintegration during the civil war. As the General Officer Commanding Third Marine Commando, he brought rebels to their knees.

    Power is alluring. Thus, Obasanjo and other senior military officers started to canvasse for increased political role under the Gowon Administration. Then, except Akinwale Way, Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, no other combat soldier was a member of the Federal Executive Council. The agitation for political power heralded the pressure on Gowon, who made Muritala Mohammed the Minister of Communications and Obasanjo the Minister of Works.

    In 1979, Obasanjo made history again. He supervised the voluntary liquidation of military power, thereby emerging as the first military Head of State to relinquish power to civilians. At home, he became a critical moral voice, whipping his successors into line, delivering lectures on good governance and chastising the military rulers, who were reluctant to permit democracy to thrive.

    Besides, the retired general played a role in international community. He was dispatched to troubled spots across the globe to solve problems of civil military relations. Obasanjo also became the curator of democratic projects in Africa. World leaders hailed him as a man of integrity and credibility.

     

    Wasted expectation

     

    When he returned to the State House in 1999, many felt he answered the patriotic call to a higher service ; the same task he had performed 20 years earlier. His first term was tedious, but he was about laying a good foundation. When he was re-elected in 2003, Obasanjo became the longest serving Nigerian leader; first as military Head of State for three years and later, as the civilian ruler for eight years.

    However, he had lost the steam by 2007 when he handed over power to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. The major sin of Obasanjo was the flawed general election.When he left the stage in 1979, the ovation was loud. Expectations were high when he made a dramatic return in 1999. However, in 2003 when he resumed a more stable retirement, his record mocked his antecedent.

    In 1979, Obasanjo presided over a relatively free and fair election. Why then, did he fail to achieve the same feat in 2003 and 2007? To many critics, by implementing the three-year transition programme faithfully, Nigeria joined the league of democratic nations.

    Many commentators adduced reasons for the success of 1979 and failure of 2003 and 2007. They reasoned that the 1979 setting contrasted with the 2003 and 2007 settings. A critic, Kunle Ajibade, pointed out that, while Obasanjo was a neutral person, as it were, in 1979, he had become too partisan in 2007. Besides, Ajibade said that “the quality of participation and participants in 1979 influenced the quality of the electoral process.

     

    Missed opportunities

     

    In the past, Obasanjo hit many statesmen with his sword, when he scrutinised the crop of Nigerian leaders, who failed in their bid to rule the country. Today, these leaders are celebrated by Nigerians more than him. Many have argued that, if these leaders had become Presidents, Nigeria would have been a better place.

    In his book, ‘Not My Will’, Obasanjo had mocked the late Obafemi Awolowo for failing to realise his ambition to become the President. He said the same coveted seat landed on his palm without struggle. But, Awo’s achievements as the Premier of Western Region have remained the benchmark.

    Also, he dismissed Dr Nnamidi Azikiwe as a towering leader, who fell from the position of pre-eminence nationally, only to carry on with life in his old age as a tribal chieftaincy holder, the Owelle of Onitsha.

  • Weep for Africa, not Mandela

    Weep for Africa, not Mandela

    SIR: Last week’s death of one of Africa’s greatest legend, the man who led the struggle against and eventual elimination of South African white domination in government, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, is painful and, indeed a great loss to the family, the people of South Africa, Africa and all men of truth, who stand on the side of justice.

    As it is customary among Africa leaders, they have once again cashed in on the passing of Madiba to make very well crafted statements identifying themselves with the painful exit. No doubt, Madiba was leader’s leader, an icon, a teacher, but how many African leaders learnt anything from the man’s school of thought. Madiba was a selfless leader, who preferring to die for his people if need be, slept in prison for 27 years. He did not amass wealth but laid good example by choosing to do one term when he was favoured to do two terms or could even attempt to stay put.

    African leaders should rather make amends of their leadership and governance style. When the nations in Africa have Mandelas in authority, certainly, Africa will become a great, proud, developed and united continent. It is because we do not have people like Madiba that Africa is host to poverty, illiteracy, disease, underdevelopment, corruption and mismanagement.

    In the abundance of natural wealth, African leaders have failed and continue to fail in advancing their countries and its peoples. They should stop this hypocrisy and have a rethink, a change of heart, emulate that which made Mandela tick. A man died and the world stood still? Because of his good deeds, selfless service, considering his people and country far and above his self desires, building a country for all irrespective of colour, tongue.

    The death of this great African son reminds one of a former late Captain Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso, who lived for his people until he was assassinated by his comrade. African leaders must begin to build Africa, for there is no other great respect that is due Mandela than to build Africa, to transform it to a first world. We can build Africa by developing our health facilities to discourage the practice of flying officials abroad for medical attention; our educational sector to produce well tested graduates and our economy by looking inwards because we have the human and natural resources here. African leaders should please save us the eulogy and go to work.

     

    • Uzodinma Nwaogbe

    Lagos, Nigeria.

  • Now, the lion sleeps tonight……

    And whilst we are still on the subject of great men and exceptional nations, it is meet to report that arguably the greatest human soul of the last hundred years and one of the noblest human beings of all time passed on late on Thursday. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, a.k.a Madiba, has joined his great ancestors. It was the most publicly enacted passing of a world-historic personage since recorded history began.

    From all corners of the human globe, the outpouring of grief has been unprecedented. The world woke up a much poorer place on Friday, but humanity has been greatly enriched by the glorious and profoundly symbolic example of one exceptional individual. Mandela was the warrior who chose not to fight; and the conqueror that chose not to exact vengeance and retribution. When shall we see the like of this man again?

    There was always something regal about Nelson Mandela. Even in dire captivity, he looked and acted like a king in waiting. Born into minor royalty, Mandela ruled South Africa like a major royalty. A lion does not need to proclaim its leonine nature. Even in languid repose, mere looking at the lion is enough disincentive. The truly powerful do not need to throw their power around. This is the preserve of brutes and thugs who force their way into reckoning.

    While we are still celebrating the passage of Mandela to immortality, Snooper has one request to make of the South African authorities. They should make Mariam Makeba’s great song, the lion sleeps tonight… the theme and motif of Mandela’s funeral. Oh, the great African lion sleeps tonight…..God bless you, and goodnight Nelson.

  • What Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela meant to me

    What Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela meant to me

    As the news of the passing of a hero broke on this sad December morning, the heartbreak and sadness felt by many of us had to be juggled by the stoical sense of realism in the knowledge that a critically ill man, who had dedicated the vast majority of his life to struggle, could finally be laid to rest. Nelson Mandela was an international figure, loved by most, admired by even those who reviled his struggle. In his life and even in his death, he impacted the world and set the tone for freedom fighters for all generations. While his passing had been expected for a long time coming, the loss of this great man, leader and icon was one that those who loved him were still unprepared for. As I watch all the accolades from world leaders and ordinary folk on TV celebrating Mandela’s life and legacy, I also reflect on the key lessons that his life and example offers me as a person. Since the start of his struggle to free his people from the shackles of domination, Mandela seemed to be a simple man who practiced minimalism in all areas of his life. Living the life he lived for 27 years in his tiny cell, he left behind a huge legacy of how to live a life of simplicity. Though he was a world leader and idolized by millions, upon his release, he continued to lead a simple life with few distractions and commitments. I was not one of those who had the privilege of personally knowing Mandela, although I had the opportunity with my mother, father and siblings to be present and see him at a gathering where he gave a moving speech to commemorate his release in the early nineteen nineties. On that occasion, Mandela spoke of peace, unity, forgiveness and integrity. As clear as day, I vividly remember him say that, “Through the power of dialogue and reconciliation, people can come together.” Understanding the core message he was delivering, by the end of his speech I was so inspired, moved… and I cried. Everything else that I know about him are what I have read and seen about his struggles and achievements on TV and in print. But even then, somehow, I have always had the feeling that Mandela was someone that I personally knew, someone that I loved deeply; He felt like my father, my teacher, my mentor, my friend, and my leader. This, I have come to understand, is a special gift he had whereby many people felt the same about him. But whatever he was in life and whatever his achievements now that he is gone, I have always gotten the impression that Mandela would have not wanted any fuss to be made about those struggles and about his life. He was a man who did what he did out of duty and the internal obligation he felt to strive for his people, not out of a need to be celebrated. But celebrate him we must so that history can tell generations and generations after us what he meant to us and the legacy he bequeath to the world. That he represents something that should never be lost throughout the ages. It is my earnest hope that his example and life story will never be put on a shelf and forgotten. To me, in my lifetime, Mandela was the highest example of how one person can change the world for the better. How one man can sacrifice his life to go against the tide in order to salvage hope for a mass people, downtrodden. Mandela revealed the real meaning of struggling for life to the world, especially to those marginalized, even if it is something people often ignore. He gave the poor, the marginalized the meaning of hope for their lives. His heart felt love and compassion for those who were helpless and oppressed and he responded spontaneously to the circumstance. He showed that the only thing man desires is love and a determination to fight for that love; be it for one’s faith, one’s people, one’s family or one’s soul. And it was his love for his people that ultimately drove his determination. Often people are unable to speak out against wrongs and injustices, feeling that they are all alone. Mandela showed that when one has passion for life and human dignity, no one is insignificant in this world. He bore witness to all this, especially when he gave up his freedom and the offer of relative safety for his people; uncertain as to what might eventually happen to him and his family. Indeed, Mandela believed in the one voice that can make all the difference in this world, even if it is marginalized. He showed courage, and what true leadership represents. And for him, leadership was never about gaining power or making himself a hero; for Mandela, leadership was always about his love for his people. When I think about it, I can honestly say that most of all, his example urged me, as an individual, never to be discouraged and to be a person of hope. When I read and see how he selflessly gave his life to those relegated, he showed me what was truly important in life. And as he showed me, he showed the world that love; the love of freedom, the love of a just cause, the love of his people was the greatest thing in his life. This, I believe, is the most special gift he left to humanity. For this reason and so much more, his message is planted in my heart forever and should be engrained in the annals of the world for all eternity. Despite our differences in this very diverse globe that we exist in, no matter our various belief systems or conventions, as people, it is important to embrace the human values and teachings of a man like Nelson Mandela. He was a really good man who gave so much to the detriment of his own life. Of sacrifice he thrived. He sacrificed, not only his freedom, but also his family and children without ever having the guarantee of getting anything in return. He loved the poorest of the poor; he would bring himself down shoulder to shoulder with the dying because he was trying to give them hope for life. Trying to do good and fight for his people’s will in everything, as Mandela did, helped define the finest structure for peace and represent the long walk that is vital to be taken for freedom. How I wish the world would truly embrace this message. As my mother always says, the best part of Mandela’s life is that he lived long enough to see his struggles come to fruition. And that’s true. It was wonderful, all those years ago, to see him walk free to the fruit of his gains and it is beautiful to see how people all over the world respond to him and his legacy today, how they are still captivated by him; for them and for many of us, Mandela was and will always be a true hero. There are so many speeches Mandela gave that we can draw inspiration from. But, for me, it was his life that gave the greatest speech of all. His life spoke in a simple language that was a source of inspiration for so many. It was the great Mahatma Gandhi who once advised people to let their life be their message. “Be the change you want to see in the world,” he advised. By living the life and experiences that Mandela did, he was able to devote his life to his chosen purpose. He showed total focus on his commitment to his people and freedom. And by being the change he wanted to see in the world that became his greatest legacy. Many of us fell in love with Nelson Mandela decades ago. And it is ironic that, while we wanted him to always be around, watching the pain that old age and illness forced on his frail body was heartbreaking. As I write this tribute amidst buckets of tears, I know that while letting him go is hard, holding onto him is harder, given the pain he must have endured. So as we say Adieu to this man of great life, beautiful spirit and pure soul, may we be comforted in the knowledge that we bore witness to the journey of one with the love and total dedication to peace and freedom for the generations that knew him and those that will come centuries after him. And if I could sum up one thing that I thought Nelson Mandela was, despite all the great qualities that he exhibited throughout his life, I can honestly say that at the very core of him I believe Nelson Mandela was just a very, very good and decent person. And the world is so fortunate that his goodness and decency met the opportunity to create the legacy he leaves us with. As I join the world in mourning the loss of this beautiful soul, my condolence goes to every South African, all the people who loved him, his friends and family, especially his children, Madiba Thembekile Mandela, Makaziwe Mandela, Makgatho Lewanika Mandela, Makaziwe Mandela, Zenani Mandela, Zindziswa Mandela, his wife, Graca Machel and his ex wives, Winnie Madikizela and Evelyn Ntoko Mase.

  • Lesson in Mandela’s birthday for our leaders

    Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was the first black man to be elected South African president after the collapse of the apartheid regime, which prevented the natives from taking charge of the political destiny of their country.

    Becuase of his activities against apartheid, Mandela was arrested in 1962 and convicted for conspiracy to overthrow the government. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. After serving 27 years on Robben Island, Madiba, as Mandela is fondly called by his countrymen, was released in 1990 following international pressure on the apartheid leadership.

    For not yielding to several offers by oppressors to trade his struggle for freedom, Mandela etched his name indelibly in the hearts of his countrymen and Africans. His will to continue the struggle forced the world to acknowledge the right of the people of South Africa whose dignity and right to determine the destiny of their country were restored when Mandela was released from the prison.

    Mandela, in a transparent process, was elected his country’s president and served a single term from 1994 to 1999. For forgiving his jailers, Mandela received international praise, which culminated in his being jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside the last president of the Apartheid regime in 1993.

    During and after his term as the South African president, he equally received several recognition awards from the United States Presidential Medal Freedom Award to the Soviet Order of Lenin among others.

    Having left the political scene for more than 10 years, Mandela’s influence and popularity continue to soar, despite that he no longer wields power as the godfather of South African politics or founding father of modern South Africa. He still commands the respect of world leaders. His medical travail in the past eight weeks is a pointer to this fact.

    The torrential outpouring of prayers and well wishes for his recovery even at 95 by his countrymen and people outside the continent of Africa shows that Mandela, a leader that served one term in office without leaving a record of corruption, is the most respected African on earth.

    But can this be said of Nigerian leaders – past and present? No. Politicians don’t retire here; they play the game till they breathe their last. Some of Nigerians leaders, who had spent several years in power, still want to come back to govern because they feel that nobody has the idea to lead the country apart from them.

    Even as he lies feebly on his hospital bed battling lung infections, which may have resulted from his years of incarceration and struggle to free the South Africa, Mandela is never taken out of the country for treatment abroad despite his status. It speaks of legacy of good governance he left behind for his country to move forward after retrogressive Apartheid rule.

    Going for medical checkup and treatment abroad even for a slight injury is a common occurrence among Nigeria’s political class. Our hospitals have been turned to public cemetery only meant for the poor masses at the expense of whose the leaders spend resources to get medical attention in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Germany, US, United Kingdom and India.

    Nigerian leaders do not possess good leadership qualities found in Mandela. We have been blesses with corrupt leadership that pay lip service to anything that can make our country to move forward. The ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), inability of the poor to access quality healthcare and nose-diving economy show the level decadence in Nigeria as a country.

    Education system in Nigeria is handled with levity by the government with no blueprint to development the sector. Can we conclude that strike is the only action the government understands? With the level of insecurity, it is only in Nigeria that government allows universities to be shut, thereby making students to roam the street and join criminal gangs to aggravate the security situation.

    Our leaders must learn lesson from Mandela, who is still said to be in comma as I write this. Madiba has been praised for good leadership in South Africa. If it is possible, we would wish that people like Mandela live forever to serve as example to corrupt leaders on the continent of Africa.

     

    Ibrahim, 300-Level Arts and Social Sciences Education, UNILORIN