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Mandela: The Personification Of Peace, Freedom, And Social Justice

Mandela: The Personification Of Peace, Freedom, And Social Justice

Rupert Johnson

Throughout the ages, human beings have been blessed with the emergence of outstanding leaders, but none has been more eminent and distinguished than Nelson Mandela. There is no doubt his death on December 5, 2013 has left a moral void that cannot be easily filled. But although we mourn his death, we should also celebrate his 95 years on this planet.

This remarkable South African icon is indeed the personification of freedom, peace, social justice, struggle and unparalleled courage. We must not forget that Mandela endured unbelievable persecution, excruciating physical pain, and relentless mental torture during his long struggle for peace, freedom and social justice.

It is indeed noteworthy that this inspirational leader could have enjoyed a comparatively robust life as a distinguished lawyer. On the contrary, in his burning desire to free his compatriots from the tyranny of the white racist South African regime, Nelson Mandela advocated, organized and led the charge against the dehumanizing and immoral policy of Apartheid.

Mandela’s 27 years behind bars were not spent in self-pity, remorse or regrets, but that time was spent in deep reflection and unbelievable optimism. His firm belief in the power of social justice sustained him throughout those dark days.

Although he was brutally treated at the hands of a Hitlerite racist South African regime, at no time did Mandela seek revenge. He did not seek to get even when he finally became leader of the South African nation. He did not harbour bitterness in his heart. Instead, he stretched forth his hand in friendship to the same people who reviled and incarcerated him. He reached out in a magnanimous spirit of reconciliation and healing. It can be said that his Truth and Reconciliation Commission of 1995 has become a template for all world leaders to copy and implement.

Let us not forget that the main purpose of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was to implore and urge people to live together in harmony.

It is worth noting that when Apartheid ended in 1994, and Mandela was elected President with a Black majority government, he did not yield to the relentless demand for a Nuremberg-style of justice to be meted out to the perpetrators of vicious crimes against the Black population.

Instead, he established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission with the express purpose of purging and healing the nation’s racial conflicts. Under the mandate of this Commission White South African perpetrators were given amnesty from prosecution if they willingly confronted their victims with confession and repentance.

Of course, the main criticism against the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is that it has allowed political criminals to go free. Yet, with all its perceived and real imperfections, the Commission has been hailed as a model for the rest of the world.

It can be said that Mandela’s famous words: “The struggle is my life” have electrified millions around the world in their struggle and quest for self-determination.

Indeed, Mandela has been relentless in his global fight for freedom and human dignity. About eight years ago his profound statement: “Where poverty exists there can be no freedom” resonated across the globe. This statement has certainly caused many of us to take stock of what freedom really means. In our so-called democratic societies it is not too much to say that most people seem to think of freedom in narrow, low-level political terms. Freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom to elect a governing body are the most commonly talked about freedoms. Very few people seem to think of freedom in terms of self-determination: the ability to make choices that determine one’s aspirations. And yet the power of self-determination is the very epitome of what freedom is all about. Certainly, Mandela’s insight into the real meaning of freedom has given us food for thought.

It is indeed remarkable that during his life span of 95 years, this eminent Father of the South African nation dedicated his entire life in his quest for social justice, freedom, peace.

May Nelson Mandela’s soul rest in peace.

Rupert Johnson can be reached at: r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca.

Photo courtesy of www.forbes.com.

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