Mandela: We must do more than pray for him

We need legacy.

I’m sure by now that every news agency in the world has its obituary already written, ready for the sad day when Nelson –Madiba-Mandela passes away.

Many of us held our breadth over the weekend, willing and praying that our African hero survives another health scare. As the days go by and the news is slightly promising we are probably quick to return to our day to day lives.

But if we really want to celebrate the most admired, most respected man in the world, surely a more fitting way would be to do it whilst he is alive.

Listening again to the introduction of the audio autobiography of Nelson Mandela’s ‘Long walk to Freedom’, by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, I’m reminded -as if I needed it, just why Mandela is so important to us, and moreover, why what he stands for must be a beacon to all politicians across the world.

In his silky voice of great statue, Annan states in his opening remarks:

People often ask me what difference one man can make in the face of injustice, conflict, poverty and disease. I answer by citing the courage, tenacity, dignity and magnanimity of Nelson Mandela. I cite his life long struggle against apartheid and his steadfast refusal to compromise his belief during his long incarceration. I cite his inspired leadership upon his release during a peaceful transition to a genuine multiracial, multiparty democracy, firmly founded on a constitution protected by fundamental Human Rights. I cite his efforts as President of the Republic of South Africa, to create the political, economic and social conditions needed to bring to Africa the peace and prosperity it needs and deserves. Above all I cite his ready-willingness to embrace and reconcile with those who persecuted him the most, and the grace in which he stuck to his promise to serve only one Presidential term of office.

Wouldn’t it be truly wonderful to celebrate Madiba’s life -his African name- whilst he is alive, perhaps with a series of Global awards named after him: The National Mandela political awards. These awards would be given to a small number of politicians around the world who had adhered to the principles of this most extra ordinary man. With these awards, we would hope that politicians would aspire to be like him and would be rightly awarded when their efforts made a demonstrable impact in the places where they govern.

Yes, let’s pray for our African/Global hero not to be taken away before his time, but let’s also plan to honour Mandela by encouraging other politicians to raise their spirit and their game just as he did.

Simon Woolley