We must revive spirit of Ubuntu
July 18, 1918, marked the birth of a man who would become an international peace icon affectionately referred to as Tata or Madiba. POST columnists reflect on Mandela’s life and times and the legacy he has left behind.
HE was born in a small village, raised among chiefs, fought for a nation and went from prisoner to president.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, more affectionately known as Madiba and whom I like referring to as Tata Madiba, became one of the greatest statesmen of all time. His leadership attributes and hands-on approach to everything he encountered made him the icon he became. All over the world, Tata Madiba is celebrated. Even in his passing, he remains the greatest liberator of all time.
At a time when our country experienced the greatest atrocities in the form of apartheid, Tata displayed incredible leadership and was able to converse with the masses.
The most important chapter of his life, which seems to have been overshadowed by Tata Madiba becoming president, but will always stand out for me as a young person growing up in a democratic country, is the role he played while still in prison to achieve our freedom. His negotiation skills proved to be sharper than any sword. His ability to get the apartheid government to engage with him and other leaders and afford
sion for his requests, at times also having herself arrested. I wish to thank them, especially his children, for giving their father to our country. A family was robbed of a husband, a brother, a father, a grandfather, an uncle and a chief for the entire period he spent in prison. After his release, having been elected to run the country, he still never had the time for them.
I have the fondest memories of Tata Madiba, through the kind friendship that the late Professor Fatima Meer and he shared. She celebrated Tata’s birthday in Chatsworth at the Chatsworth Stadium and later also brought him back to Chatsworth after the Throb disaster. The horrible day that stole 13 young, precious lives will always leave a painful memory in our hearts.
Prof Meer arranged for a special meeting at the Revival Ministries church in Chatsworth where Tata met the families of the children who lost their lives. While the atmosphere was still solemn and emotional, Tata was able to change the mood, bringing about smiles and joy.
This was the special ability he had: to change any situation he faced, and I still remember his words when he said we should turn the tragedy into triumph.
I was asked to address him, on behalf of the youth of Chatsworth, and in doing so I made sure I emphasised that the youth of Chatsworth had no space for any recreational activities. His promise that day was one that was fulfilled and today we have the Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre, a centre created from tragedy to bring hope to young people in the community.
Tata has moulded young people within the ranks of the ANC and society at large. One of his quotes that keeps motivating me is when he said: “I admire young people who are concerned with the affairs of their community and nation perhaps because I also became involved in the Struggle whilst I was still at school.”
As young people, we must be involved in our communities. Take the lead in society, and have the ability to create change. We must never fail to realise that while you have a secular job, you always come back home to a community and that community needs you.
What we need as young people and fellow compatriots in this new dispensation is a revival of the true spirit of Ubuntu. In keeping the legacy of Madiba alive, we need to live this legacy and put our words into action daily.
We cannot have hate speech, neither can we define one another by the colours of our skin. We all belong to one race, and that is the human race.
Until we are able to do introspection and define our own existence, we cannot and should not be looking at others around us. The time has come for the spirit of Ubuntu to arise!
We are because of each other. I am because of you, and every person is only a person because of people. As I drop my pen, take heed of our great father, who had the ability to not just create and bring about change, but he was the change. In the words of Tata Nelson Mandela on this 100th year: “I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill; one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.
“I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”
There are still many more hills to climb, and the hill in front of us right now is a hill of inequality and racism and as with every hill this, too, we can climb over.