Obama sings Madiba’s song

WORLD HAS STRAYED FROM HIS LEGACY Obama reminds of Nelson Mandela’s ideals of social justice and democracy.

it’s constrained by narrow nationalist and authoritarian politics, and by high levels of poverty and inequality.

Mandela’s legacy is probably under the most threat in South Africa where we have deviated substantively from integrity, humility, non-racialism, participation, eradicating inequality and empowering all.

Obama’s speech was powerful because it drew on all these themes.

His key points were, firstly, that we are at a crossroads. What we have built and achieved over the last 100 years is being contested by those who espouse the politics of fear and resentment, fuelled by the contradictions of globalisation, failures of governance and political elites that have assumed a monopoly of power.

It’s in direct opposition to the values, ideals and principles embodied by Madiba and the many who fought for democracy and freedom. It is uncertain which will win. But we need to resist the cynicism, the divisions, hatred, corruption and be guided by universal principals, love, and servant collective leadership.

Secondly, that our biggest challenge is technology. Artificial intelligence threatens job security and forces us to find creative ways of generating employment.

Thirdly, democracy is still the best vehicle to achieve social justice. But it needs to be part of civic culture and driven by young people who are passionate about building a new society.

Obama reminded us of our own duties and responsibilities to protect our democratic gains. That we are interdependent, and therefore have a common destiny.

Cheryl Hendricks is the executive director at the Africa Institute of South Africa, Human Sciences Research Council. This article was first published on Conversation and has been edited. The