Mandela At 94

FORMER president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela on Wednesday, 18 July, 2012 turned 94 with quiet celebrations by close family members and associates across the world in Qunu, Eastern Cape in South Africa as well as deep, emotional rendition of happy birthday songs by 12 million school children in South Africa.  One of their songs had a heart-rending refrain—“We Love You Father”.
Across the world, humanity was united around the image of Mandela as a leader, symbol of courage, hero, inspiration, freedom and hope.
Paying tribute to a rare leader who gave his all for the liberation of his people from the shackles of apartheid,  12-year-old Kgangelo Masunhloanes in Soweto said, “as we celebrate his birthday, we remember that he fought for us in the struggle. The struggle was to fight apartheid.”
While marking the 4th Annual Nelson Mandela International Day, both President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton paid tributes to Mandela’s abiding humility and unbreakable will.
The birthday anniversary was marked across major cities of the world by individuals, corporate organisations and right groups, who devoted 67 minutes of the day to public services and voluntary public assignments, a symbolic representation of the 67 years of Mandela’s years, which were committed to politics and legendary, selfless service to humanity.
Nobel Peace Laureate and quintessential leader, Mandela remains an uncommon embodiment of peace, freedom, equity  and good conscience running across racial boundaries. His legacies and leadership traits, no doubt, transcend the boundaries of Africa.
In Robben Island prison where he was incarcerated for 27 years, Mandela typified resilience of the human mind and the unbreakable resolve of the human spirit. His release in 1980 marked the beginning of series of negotiations that led to his  nation’s  independence.
Unlike the trend in most parts of the world, especially within the continent of Africa, midway into his four year tenure as president of the Republic of South Africa, he made it clear he was not going to run for a second term in office. In a continent marked by sit-tight attitudes by the political class, it was a clear proof of a man whose leadership vision could not be beclouded by egocentric or self-centered considerations.
One of his millions of admirers across the world posted the following tribute in the social media co-ordinated by Cable News Network, (CNN). “Madiba reminds  the world of what leaders of today are lacking – purpose. Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King lived but Mandela is still living the struggles”.
At 94, there is no doubt that Mandela is already being immortalised with series of public institutions already named after him. It is also encouraging that his socio-political values are already documented in a number of his published books.
What is now left is for leaders, current and aspiring crop of leadership across the world to imbibe and replicate those noble and sublime human development ideals on conflict resolution, promotion of race relations, human rights and reconciliations.
Doing this is one of the ways the great Nelson Mandela can be immortalised and the society  made more peaceful and much more sustainable.
We wish the great political icon, model, mentor, legend, pride of Africa and epitome of good leadership   many more years of eventful life and significant service to humanity.