Madiba’s long walk continues

IT IS remarkable how, almost four years after his death, Nelson Mandela remains a gift to the nation and the world that keeps on giving. For who else could attract some of humanity’s most respected leaders to the Mother City to continue the Long Walk to Freedom from the spot where he made his triumphant reappearance in public after 27 years in apartheid jails?

These leaders are grouped in an organisation Madiba formed 10 years ago of eminent persons called The Elders, tasked with helping to resolve conflicts around the world.

Led by Mandela’s widow Graça Machel and British billionaire Richard Branson, The Elders, accompanied by a large group of residents, gathered at the Cape Town City Hall, where Mandela made his first speech on his release from prison in 1990, and walked to the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The Elders, who are made up of former heads of state, peace activists, and human rights advocates, including Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, Martti Ahtisaari, Lakhdar Brahimi, Desmond Tutu, Machel, Jimmy Carter, Hina Jilani, Mary Robinson and Ernesto Zedillo, among others, is also celebrating a decade since its founding.

The Elders launched their new global project, “Walk Together”, which will focus on advocating for peace and equality and improving healthcare and justice of citizens worldwide, said Machel.

That all of this is inspired by the midwife-inchief of our democracy, our founding president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who brought so much compassion and love to the world, must fill South Africans with pride and gratitude.

It is a paradox of our times, therefore, that postMadiba we should be sitting with some leaders who continue to underwhelm and disappoint the nation.