A Tribute..............
May this great hero rest in peace.... (December 5, 2013)
Although I have never met him, he has been and will continue to be a singularly most important figure and influence in my life.
This is the warm, wonderful, playful man who was behind the greatness that he achieved:
Johnny Clegg concert with Mandela
South African musician Johnny Clegg opened a concert in France in 1999 with his popular song ‘Asimbonanga’, meaning ‘we have not seen him’ – referring to Mandela, whose image was banned during apartheid.
Towards the end, the man himself makes a surprise appearance on stage, where he does his famous jive and makes a short impromptu speech.
In this video clip, Mandela encourages the audience to dance as well, saying:
Well.... it is music and dancing that makes me at peace with the world......... and at peace with myself.
Throughout his life, Nelson Mandela did not take himself seriously and relaxed and smiled and laughed and easily put others at ease. That is how I will remember him. (Btw, didn't Mandela do a great Morgan Freeman impersonation in this clip with Clegg?)
A wonderful way to remember Nelson Mandela is to review his history (which became ours,) and to remember the different seasons of his life. He has left us but he will never be gone. His mighty spirit has guided us and will continue to do so.
There are many articles on "thesouthafrican.com" about Nelson Mandela, this one is about his major achievements: Mandela Moments
NELSON MANDELA led us out of apartheid and thus South Africa became ‘the rainbow nation’. Here is a list of 10 ‘Madiba moments‘: prolific moments that made the man so great, and the nation so proud.
It is a wonderful personal, folksy read, which I think presents more personal touches than other stories I have read, with many pictures and footage about the highlights of his life:
1) Release from Prison
2) Casting his first Vote
3) Presidential Inauguration and "Free at Last Speech"
4) 1995 Rugby World Cup (the one with Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman ;-) )
5) Winning the Nobel Peace Prize
6) The 'Madiba Jive'
South Africans are renowned for their dancing and singing abilities, and lucky for us: Nelson Mandela is one great dancer
7) Madiba Shirts
In general, politicians have a standard uniform: suit (preferably black or grey) and tie – or some variation of this. Nelson Mandela on the other hand, has always gone for a more ‘proudly African’ way of dressing – bright and airy batik shirts with vivid splashes of colour. They might just be clothes, but Madiba’s shirts deserve a mention because they have always brought a sense of freedom and uniqueness to an area that has always been quite buttoned up and reserved. They shout ‘You are who you are! Be yourself and be proud.’
8) Surprise appearance at Johnny Clegg concert (video above)
9) Mandela wins over the British and is honoured with a statue in London
10) 46664 .... (I will let you read this one in the article....) clue: a cause Mandela has devoted himself to...
More Tributes below.......
From CNN, a stirring reminder of all the heroic tasks he achieved in his life.
Seven Things You Can Learn From Nelson Mandela
From the South African "Mail and Guardian" an article on Seven Memorable Mandela quotes, which include many pictures of Mandela laughing and having a good time. That is the man I will remember. The warm, human, feeling person. Who also just incidentally happened to have the courage of a lion. He has passed down his wisdom to us:
Nelson Mandela's quotes are the stuff of legend. We look at some of the icon's most unforgettable statements and where they were made.
By Haji Mohamed Dawjee and Khuthala Nandipha
It's no wonder that Nelson Mandela is known as one of the most quoted men in the world, his words of wisdom echo worldwide. Aside from his memorable political speeches and his autobiography, there are other important life maxims that Madiba taught us through the years – words we should all definitely try to live by.
My favorite from the list of quotes is:
"A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest."
Mandela is personal to me. His life and words have been an anchor in my life and many, many times, a candle in utter darkness. When tempted to give up, the thought has often come to me: 'if Mandela could perservere all those years in prison, then I surely can try to carry on with what I am struggling with....' This man and all he represents rests deeply in my heart.
Nelson Mandela was a wonderful warm man in addiiton to being a great hero.
Let us honor this remarkable man and his life with music and dancing, remembering his words:
Well.... it is music and dancing that makes me at peace with the world......... and at peace with myself.
Madiba, thank you for the gift of your life and your spirit to this world...
(This Memorial is an update of a Remembrance which I first wrote when Madiba went into the hospital in June.)