NELSON MANDELA: A REMARKABLE HUMAN BEING.
The passing of the first black president of South Africa, which was hardly a surprise at 95 years of age, evoked considerable emotion and breast beating. The fact that he had spent almost three decades incarcerated in gaol could have made him considerably bitter. He, however, appears to have gone through a Damascene conversion, which is no doubt the reason for the world's reaction to this loss.
Mandela certainly had the charisma to influence former President, De Klerk, the last 'white' to hold the office. We should pause here to acknowledge De Klerk's role in what passed. Nelson Mandela was a man true to his word, almost performing a miracle of transformation in the power structure. Some might consider this to be a type of 'coming again'. Unfortunately, with the sad news, the world had to go over the top, most people claiming a piece of Nelson; something the author has witnessed in Israel, where so many try to sell us a 'piece of Jesus'; a kind of business opportunity.
How on earth did Mandela, during his years behind bars, turn to reconciliation, should he get the opportunity to attain power? This must have seemed to be but a 'pipe dream'. What has to be considered here is, that he had been an active terrorist with the African National Party, an outfit backed by international communism. The indiscriminate bombing killed many innocent people, as does all this type of terrorist activity. Mandela so obviously had this ability to consider the method needed to fight the disgraceful excesses of the former Apartheid regime; this is undoubtedly where his genius lay.
In watching all the outpouring since the announcement of the man's passing, two moments will linger: One, the official reaction from current President, Zuma, the untrustworthy incumbent. I get that chilling feeling that here is another Mugabe, who can now introduce his own agenda. Secondly, this feeling was compounded, in noting the countenance of Archbishop TuTu, which suggested that his fellow traveller will not be present to oversee what comes next. Fingers crossed.
NELSON MANDELA: R.I.P.
Mandela certainly had the charisma to influence former President, De Klerk, the last 'white' to hold the office. We should pause here to acknowledge De Klerk's role in what passed. Nelson Mandela was a man true to his word, almost performing a miracle of transformation in the power structure. Some might consider this to be a type of 'coming again'. Unfortunately, with the sad news, the world had to go over the top, most people claiming a piece of Nelson; something the author has witnessed in Israel, where so many try to sell us a 'piece of Jesus'; a kind of business opportunity.
How on earth did Mandela, during his years behind bars, turn to reconciliation, should he get the opportunity to attain power? This must have seemed to be but a 'pipe dream'. What has to be considered here is, that he had been an active terrorist with the African National Party, an outfit backed by international communism. The indiscriminate bombing killed many innocent people, as does all this type of terrorist activity. Mandela so obviously had this ability to consider the method needed to fight the disgraceful excesses of the former Apartheid regime; this is undoubtedly where his genius lay.
In watching all the outpouring since the announcement of the man's passing, two moments will linger: One, the official reaction from current President, Zuma, the untrustworthy incumbent. I get that chilling feeling that here is another Mugabe, who can now introduce his own agenda. Secondly, this feeling was compounded, in noting the countenance of Archbishop TuTu, which suggested that his fellow traveller will not be present to oversee what comes next. Fingers crossed.
NELSON MANDELA: R.I.P.
posted by minister | 08:38
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