When I was a teenager one of the most distinctive political images was Nelson Mandela. He was on t-shirts and posters everywhere. Everyone knew his name, his face and how long he'd been in prison.
He epitomised the sheer determination to a cause and the strength of self-belief we hoped we all possessed. Not all that he did was good, but the message we all felt was one of equality for all people. He was a symbol for human rights and democracy and freedom of speech for the whole world.
FW de Klerk released him and together they ended Apartheid. They earned the Nobel Prize for Peace and it's rarely found such a perfect home.
In April 1994, when my oldest child was a baby, we watched queues of people on the TV news standing in line for days to be able to vote for the first time in their lives. I felt very glad that my child would be growing up in a better world and I swore that he'd always know why voting is so important, and why you should never be so bold as to assume you are better than anyone else.
Today the world lost Nelson Mandela, but I think he'd already done all he came to do.
He'd never have known it, but he certainly left a mark on my life.
Such a great man and a big loss but I'm glad his life is being celebrated so well.
ReplyDeleteIt really is, some of the things people have said and written have been truly lovely :)
DeleteSuch an inspirational guy - we can all take heed from him x
ReplyDeleteHe certainly had a patience and willpower we can can all learn from :) xx
DeleteI remember so clearly both his release from jail and his successful campaign for the presidency. He was a light in the world and we will rarely see his like again.
ReplyDeleteSpot on, a very rare gift :)
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