Mandela still radiates wisdom at 92

The life and times of Madiba

1918: Born in Eastern Cape
11964: Charged with treason and sentenced to life
1990: Freed from prison
1993: Wins Nobel Peace Prize
1994: Elected the first black president of South Africa
1999: Steps down as president
2001: Diagnosed with prostate cancer
2004: Retires from public life
2005: Announces his son has died of an HIV/Aids-related illness
2010: Turns 92

When he appeared at the Fifa World Cup closing ceremony on Sunday, he was met by a rapturous reception. None of the other heads of states inspired that much joy at the monumental event.

In his graying, shortly cropped hair and a warm black coat hiding his signature batik shirts, Nelson Mandela needed no introduction.
His legacy stays with you much longer than his outfits do anyway.

History teachers passionately drill it in their students’ hearts and minds; that this living legend’s 27-year struggle for freedom from the oppressive apartheid regime, remains a turning point in the continent’s wretched history.

While the world marked the beginning of this year’s global soccer tournament on June 11, Mandela was reflecting on something different — the day he along with seven of his comrades were convicted of sabotage at the infamous Rivonia Trial of 1964.

While in prison, his popularity is said to have grown much more than any other African leader and rather than habour hate for the oppressive regime, he sought reconciliation.

It is easy to see why this 92-year-old remains the most revered African statesman. Through his secret weapons of “goodness and forgiveness”, he continues to win the hearts of many across the boarders.

So much so, that the world would make his birthday, July 18, a big deal — a reason to bring to one venue all the big shots in all walks of life.

They call it The Nelson Mandela Day — a day the UN General Assembly set aside to mark his contribution to world freedom.
Before taking the oath of office in 1994, Mandela had had 75 years of huddles to jump over.

The first was a change of names as a young boy in school. Born Rolihlahla Mandela, he got his English name ‘Nelson’ from a teacher who didn’t care much for his Xhosa names. He would later live up his middle name, Rolihlahla, which colloquially means, “troublemaker”.

Troublemaker

His first troublemaking instance led to a suspension as a first year student taking Bachelor of Arts at the Fort Hare University.

He had been involved in a Students’ Representative Council boycott against university policies and had to flee to Johannesburg.

While there, he relied on his mentor, and realtor, Walter Sisulu, to put in a good word for him to get a placement as an articled clerk at a Johannesburg law firm, from where he finished his first degree in Law.

His commitment to education is inspirational. Even when in prison, he furthered his studies, taking up law studies with different universities.

And since he believes that “a good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination”, besides studying, Mandela spent all his life in prison working on his autobiography, A Long Walk to Freedom.

He later published the autobiography upon his release.
In 1961, having tried in vain Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent approach to conflict resolution, Mandela resorted to armed struggle, protesting against the increasing violence and repression of his people.

He coordinated sabotage campaigns against military and government targets.
His arrest came a few months later, and while in prison, he was only allowed one visitor and one letter in six months.

And even when the letter came, it was hard to read as it would be heavily censored by the prison guards. None of his children was allowed to visit him in jail and even when his firstborn son, Thembi, died, Mandela wasn’t allowed to attend the funeral.