Friday, December 06, 2013

The passing of a political giant: reflections on Nelson Mandela


Nelson Mandela, a man whose life’s journey took him from activist to prisoner to President to global icon, has passed away. While it has been expected perhaps for some time, it does not make it any less sad. His passing led me to reflect on the impact of the man, not just in terms of politics but on global society and opinions.
I was sixteen, with the usual cares of a sixteen-year old boy, with some interest in history and politics but limited. Apartheid was a word that was known and I remember happily signing petitions against it, I also remember Barclays being known as the fascist bank due to investments in South Africa. There was also a campaign of pressure upon British PM Margaret Thatcher to push for a global campaign against the white supremacist regime. But these mostly failed to have impact, not just on the regime but also cognitively on many people.
It struck me how the name of Mandela probably entered the wider consciousness in Britain due to Jerry Dammers and his band The Specials AKA. The Two Tone scene had long shown that cultural fusion worked, and it had always had a political edge. Looking back I wonder how many children of largely conservative families, often those who would enjoy the racist jokes prevailing in the working men’s clubs, variety shows and on television of the time, who wouldn’t want their daughter to ‘marry one’, suddenly found themselves singing this catchy little song about a man with an exotic name. I do remember reading the story of Nelson Mandela in a piece that explained the song to the masses in a popular music magazine. Suddenly apartheid had a human face, one deserving of interest, of support, and the campaign had a cracking theme tune.
His release six years later was part of the new dawning of democracy, of freedom. The Berlin Wall had fallen, the Eastern European dictatorships that ruled in the name of communism had collapsed, and Nelson Mandela walked free from 27 years of imprisonment. That could have been the end of a story but it wasn’t. He might also, perhaps justifiably, have left prison intent on revenge. But he showed the world a very important lesson. It is not revenge but reconciliation that rebuilds a society; his path to power was not on the back of civil war but a desire for civil society.
The long road to freedom was indeed long but the journey he embarked upon is not over. South Africa has come a long way from the days of Apartheid but there are still deep social and economic divisions. Equally, while a man of colour might reside in the White House, there remains currents of racism across the globe. Nelson Mandela’s rightful legacy should be the eradication of inequalities based on colour, race or any other irrational and illogical mechanism that allows one group to be superior over another. While he has the absolute right to rest in peace those that follow the wisdom of his words and deeds need to continue his journey, he drew the map let us all follow.

53 comments:

Unknown said...

Actually very sad of hearing nelson mandela he did a great job in his carrier. Thanks for sharing about him.

get youtube views

Myrtle Beach SC homes for sale said...

Hi

The Post seems to be good i really gather lot of information from the Post

Myrtle Beach SC homes for sale

Iftekhar Ahmed said...

Glad to read your post :). It is very informative!

Debt Management Plan said...

Your article is very useful and have good knowledgeable content, thanks for the post.

Free Online Games said...

Very value able post, I read the whole story when I start reading it.

Radiator Covers UK said...

I appreciate your blog post, beautifully expressed and well written.

Unknown said...

It's like you learn my thoughts! You seem to grasp a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I believe that you just could do with some p.c. to power the message house a little bit, however instead of that, this is fantastic blog.
Obat Batu Empedu Herbal | Obat Kanker Darah Herbal | Obat Pembuluh Darah Pecah Di Otak Herbal | Obat Kolesterol Tinggi Herbal | Obat Herbal Kanker Otak
An excellent read. I will definitely be back. Thank you very much has been sharing the information that helpfull.

Unknown said...

It’s awesome to pay a visit this web site and reading the views of all colleagues concerning this article, while I am also keen of getting know-how.
Obat Selulitis Orbita Obat Ulkus Kornea Obat Anemia Defisiensi Besi Obat Campak Cara Mengatasi Kebas Pada Kaki dan Tangan Cara Mencegah dan Mengatasi Osteoporosis
thank you very much has been willing to share information with us.

A Ujang Herbal said...

very helpful article

ciri ciri penderita penyakit pembekuan darah ciri ciri penderita usus buntu obat impotensi paling manjur cara mengobati mani encer obat kuat tahan lama

Genies said...

I finally found a blog that can make me happy. it is easy to understand, may remain calm. thanks you author.
cara mengobati radang hati
obat batuk rejan
obat tradisional pembesaran prostat

Geek Herbal said...

although his blog design mediocre, but the content is very good indeed. I love the contents of the blog. Thank you.
obat untuk penyakit liver
obat untuk menyembuhkan nyeri sendi

Cara Menyembuhkan Penyakit Gondok said...

Alhamdulillah, I was finally able to get this information. Hopefully with this blog the information seekers can easily get it, thanks author. cara mengobati batu empedu

Cara Mengobati Meningitis Secara Alami said...

I did not clever to thank, but the writing on which is the information I was looking for already a long time, finally I can be grateful to the author. Cara Mengobati Gagal Ginjal Akut

Unknown said...

I did not clever to thank, but the writing on which is the information.
cara mengobati biduran

Genies said...

hello author, i feeling that this blog can help me in my next jobs. thank you very much. cara mengobati kanker serviks

Genies said...

A few weeks ago I had stopped here, but I did not find the article I was looking for. But today it has available. Thank you very much.
obat herbal tumor jinak di pundak
cara mengatasi kekurangan darah putih
cara menghilangkan stretch mark
cara mengobati kurap di selangkangan

Genies said...

and thanks to this article I could find the inspiration to get out of this complaint. Thank you for the information author.
cara menngobati sakit ulu hati
cara mengobati biang keringat
penyakit batu ginjal
batuk rejan batuk seratus hari

Genies said...

Probably almost every day I always check this blog, I love this blog, the content is always followed developments.
obat batuk berdarah
olahraga untuk mencegah ambeien

Genies said...

Probably almost every day I always check this blog, I love this blog, the content is always followed developments.
cara menghilangkan stretch mark, obat untuk urtikaria

Genies said...

Probably almost every day I always check this blog, I love this blog, the content is always followed developments.
cara menghilangkan stretch mark, obat untuk urtikaria

Genies said...

it would be refreshing if the blog design using colors that completely fresh. Thank you very much the article author.
cara mengobati luka lambung

Unknown said...

It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Cara Mengobati Sakit Lambung Dengan Obat Tradisional
Manfaat Tidur Siang Untuk Menurunkan Tekanan Darah
penyebab iritasi kulit
tips menghilangkan bau kaki
penyebab sakit perut sebelah kiri pada wanita

Unknown said...

An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
cara mengobati nyeri sendi pada jari tangan
cara mengatasi nyeri dada akibat asam lambung
cara mengatasi sesak nafas karena asam lambung

agungmahdiramdani said...

good article thanks for share dude..
Obat pelangsing paling aman dan legal
Solusi hilangkan lemak dipinggul
Obat herbal penurun berat badan
Obat pelangsing perut buncit terbaik
Obat pelangsing lengan atas
Obat diet tanpa membuat gemeteran
Obat diet aman untuk remaja
Cara cepat menurunkan berat badan tanpa olahraga
Obat penghilang lemak di betis secara tradisional
Tips diet ala artis korea
Obat atasi lengan bergelambir secara alami
Cara mengecilkan lingkaran pinggang karena lemak
Obat langsing yang aman untuk penderita maag
obat herbal penghilang lemak di pinggul

Ali Husen said...

this website is something that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality.
cara menyembuhkan asam urat dan kolesterol tinggi
cara mengobati flek paru-paru

Unknown said...

Obat Mata Minus Herbal Alami
Batuk Berdarah Akibat Radang Tenggorokan
Bahaya ISPA Pada Balita dan Anak-anak
obat mata
obat mata minus herbal alami
cara mengobati mata minus tanpa menggunakan kacamata
obat untuk menghilangkan sakit ginjal
Ciri-ciri mani encer pada pria
Bahaya ISPA pada balita dan anak-anak

Unknown said...

Obat Radang Selaput Otak Alami
Penyakit Gagal Ginjal Menyebabkan Kematian
Penyebab Penyakit Batu Ginjal Dan Pengobatan

Unknown said...

Mencegah Timbulnya Sel Kanker Payudara

Unknown said...

Diet Untuk Kesehatan Tubuh
Penyakit Tekanan Darah Tinggi Hipertensi
Penyebab Leukosit Tinggi
Penyakit Diabetes Tips 2

Anonymous said...

Cara Mengobati Ayan Untuk Segala Jenis Umur

Unknown said...

Makanan Sehat Untuk Thyroid
Obat Melancarkan Pergantian Lemak Dalam Tubuh
Cara Memperbaiki Ketidak Seimbangan Sel Otak

Unknown said...

Fimosis Pada Penis Anak
Obat Hidung Keluar Nanah
Gaya Hidup Sehat Membantu Menjaga Ginjal
Bagian Ginjal Bisa Menggantikan Konvensional Dialysis

Unknown said...

Dampak Merokok Menyebabkan Nyeri Lambung
Penyakit Refluk Empedu Berbahaya
Cara atasi Nyeri Punggung Akibat Pencernaan Lambung

Unknown said...

Hindari Makan Malam Pada Penderita Sakit Maag
Gantikan Cuci Darah Dengan QnC Jelly Gamat

Cara Menyembuhkan Hidung Mampet Karena Pilek Pada Bayi

Unknown said...

Obat Mata Berkabut Pada Anak
Gejala Penyakit Asam Refluks GERD dan Pengobatan
Penyakit Luka Borok Dermatitis

Unknown said...

Bismillah:)
Obat Alami Kejang Kejang

Unknown said...

Good:)
Pengertian Penyakit Kulit Erysipelas
Manfaat Cahaya Matahari Untuk Kesehatan Tubuh
Risiko Obat Mulas Dapat Menyebabkan Jantung
Penyakit Kulit Erysipelas
Gejala Penyakit Berkunang Kunang

Unknown said...

Bismillah
Penyakit Luka Borok Dermatitis
Gejala Penyakit Epilepsi Yang Kamu Harus Ketahui
Diet Sehat Untuk Kesehatan Tubuh Anda
Manfaat Alpukat Untuk Ginjal Kronis
Obat Gagal Ginjal Yang Alami Tanpa Cuci Darah

Unknown said...

Batas Protein Dan Kalsium Bagi Penyakit Ginjal Kronis
Depresi Bertepatan Dengan Ginjal Kronis
Pengertian Penyakit Ginjal Diabetik

Unknown said...

Mencegah Cacat Tabung Saraf Secara Alami
Apa Yang Menyebabkan Hidrosefalus
Metode Untuk Mengontrol Epilepsi Atau Ayan
Gejala Kejang Kejang Akibat Penyakit Epilepsi

Unknown said...

I was very fortunate to be able to visit your page. You can also find interesting information about health here. The one of it is Obat herbal pengjilang flek hitam di wajah

Tika Hermawati said...

Beware of abnormal vaginal discharge that occurs in pregnant women! solutions to overcome vaginal discharge in pregnant women are safe for the fetus.
Obat Keputihan untuk Ibu Hamil

Unknown said...

Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may help reduce inflammation associated with dry eye from time to time, it can help improve symptoms and prevent blurred eye sight.

Manfaat Minyak Ikan
Minyak Ikan

Kualitas Pendengaran Menurun Akibat Telinga Berdengung said...

Kualitas Pendengaran Menurun Akibat Telinga Berdengung Terima kasih sudah mau berbagi itu merupakan artikel yang menarik.

Unknown said...

Obat Herbal Susah Tidur Di Malam Hari

Unknown said...

good qoutes Nelson Mandela Obat Sakit Hepatitis Yang Aman

Unknown said...

Buah-buahan penurun Mata Minus
Makanan Sehat Untuk Mata Minus
Cara Membersihkan Paru-paru dari Nikotin

Unknown said...

Bahaya Memakai Kacamata Minus
Cara Mencegah Katarak Sejak Dini
Menjaga Kesehatan Mata Pada Anak

Unknown said...

Buah Pembakar Lemak Perut
Mengapa Darah Tinggi Dapat Merusak Ginjal
Akibat Kelebihan Dan Kekurangan Lemak Bagi Tubuh

mawar said...

wah ini dia gan obat asam urat yang alami dan juga aman untuk atasi asam urat, kolesterol, nyeri sendi, pegal linu dan nyeri sendi
Obat Herbal Asam Urat masuk sini gan

Unknown said...

Efek Samping Cedera Kepala

Unknown said...

Manfaat Rebung Bambu Kuning Untuk Batu Ginjal
Manfaat Daun Gedi Untuk Batu Ginjal
Ciri Ciri Seseorang Penderita Penyakit Ginjal

Unknown said...

Manfaat Daun Sirsak Untuk Penderita TBC
Manfaat Singkong Untuk Penderita Maag