M A N D E L A
TRIBUTE SONG BY BEN OKAFOR Â Â --Â LYRICS and BIO at LEFT
MANDELA – a name – a single word – a powerful word – a word that stands for humanity, freedom, equality, justice, love, struggle, forgiveness, compassion.Â
In the future, when history looks back on the great humanitarian campaigners of the 20th century, unfortunately only a few names will be remembered and truly revered. Inspirational figures such as Ghandi, Martin Luther-King and of course Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
In this troubled and war torn world of ours Nelson Mandela, now aged 90, still stands as a beacon for all of the positive attributes and aspirations of humanity. His mere presence brings a warmth and joy to a place. This was witnessed in August 2007 when he attended the unveiling of his statue in Westminster Square in London – the only living man to be honoured in this way and also the only black man to be honoured in this way! As stated by Gordon Brown the British Prime Minister at the ceremony, his statue now stands in front of the British Houses of Parliament as a constant reminder of the hope and the on-going struggle to make this world a better world for every single human being to live in.
Mandela is a principled man who has stood against the evils of Apartheid and the oppression of his people and has come through a prolonged period of imprisonment and suffering only to emerge with total dignity and seemingly without a trace of hatred and resentment. Indeed, upon his release he had to work with the very regime, the very men who had jailed him and kept him a prisoner for so long, to start turning the political and social tide and to eventually bring his beloved South Africa to a new dawn of renewed hope and a desire to work together in unity. The work carries on and the road to true equality in South Africa is still being travelled but with continued focus, determination, love and prayer the country will eventually arrive at its desired destination.
Some of the most striking images that bring home the true depth and meaning of Mandela’s life and achievements are the pictures of his stark prison cell. When you consider the treatment and restrictions placed upon him purely because he believed all people deserved to be treated equally, one is filled with a mixture of sadness, frustration and anger. Yet out this emerged a Nobel Peace Prize winner and a father to a new nation!
What has been started through the life of one man can now be held up to the world as a beacon of hope for our future.
Unity – not division. Love – not hatred.
Tolerance and acceptance – not fear and misunderstanding
Let us all vow to carry on the work and example of Nelson Mandela across and around this world of ours for as long as we draw breath and injustice lives amongst the human community.
Matthew 25: 31-46Â Â Â Â Â