Reconciliation without strong base doomed to fail

A champion for peace and reconciliation, much like statesman Nelson Mandela, is what South Africa needs to reignite the spirit of forgiveness and unification.

The country needs a leader to revive the nation’s aspirations to come together.

So said participants in the Annual Mandela Remembrance Walk held at the Freedom Park Heritage site and Museum at the weekend.

Jane Mufamadi, CEO of Freedom Park, said the park had launched the Remembrance Walk to pay homage to Madiba, who died on December 5, 2013, but also to remind South Africans of how the country had a giant of a legend who lived among them, and “had bequeathed to us the values we still need today”.

“As we do the remembrance walk we are reminding South Africans to be tolerant and peaceful and forge unity … to reignite the spirit of ubuntu.”

The walk’s theme: “A decade of peace” according to Mufamadi, was appropriate as there was a shortage of it not just in South Africa but the world over, considering the many conflicts and difficulties being witnessed in the present day.

Princess Stella Sigcau II was at the walk and said reconciliation was one of the main things Mandela stood for.

Participant Lunga Dikoloti said the walk was special as it brought together people from all walks of life, ages, cultures and genders.

He believed true reconciliation took time and was still to be fully realised by future generations. Reconciliation not built on a strong foundation may easily collapse. We have to accept that it is going to take time.

“Mandela had the magic touch, he made us forget our past and gave us hope. The reality we have to face is that a lot of work still needs to be done so that we do not lose focus of the ultimate goal,” he said.