But the passage of time and the health scares of recent months have nudged the issue away from the shadows.
As a contributing writer for Cyprus’ Legacy Magazine, my June 2012 article was based on the celebrated life of Nelson Mandela, highlighting his achievements and contributions to the “rainbow nation” of South Africa, and even skirting on the issue and circumstances of his unfortunate departure. The article read as follows:
A letter from South Africa
I recently finished reading Nelson Mandela’s insightful autobiography titled “Long walk to freedom,” Stashed behind my copious collection of books, which I seem to accumulate every time I visit a bookstore, Mandela’s eccentric yet easily-identifiable face emerged as a reminder that a book half-read, needed to be concluded.
I had the unique opportunity to meet the legend, even for a brief moment – twelve years before I settled on the shores of Aphrodite. I was inspired by his story, which at times resembled an epic period piece of a man who chose to transform an unsettled world through peaceful chant – rather than the serrated edge of a sword.
Nelson Mandela stood for many things which attributed to his Nobel Prize for peace in 1993. I tried effortlessly to erase the apartheid infused image of a ‘notorious madman’, to one of humility and reason. In fact, what won me over was when Nelson Mandela asked Oprah Winfrey in an exclusive interview in Chicago, “What was the subject matter of her show?” Oprah of course, stood there wide-eyed and speechless. I began to see an image of man who, in his own right, tried to fight for the rights of the oppressed and forfeited half of his life in the process. Twenty seven years. Almost three decades.
It’s foreseeable that Hollywood would be inspired to produce a plethora of films which honour South Africa’s modern monarch; Nelson Mandela has become an icon for all South Africans, and the world – a symbol representing ‘change’. But what would happen to the “rainbow nation” when this celebrated icon becomes another chapter in our history books?
David Smith from The Observer and The Guardian wrote, “It is the day South Africans dread more than any other, and it is not a question of if but when. The death of Nelson Mandela will shake the nation to its core; the fact that death in old age does not fit the proper definition of ‘tragedy’ will not console the millions who grew up with him as a constant, consoling presence.”
But Mandela's death will also be an almost unprecedented global event, with every living US president, the British prime minister and other world leaders expected to attend his funeral. International broadcasters have drawn up so-called "M-plans,” staking out locations, pre-booking hotels and transport, and signing up pundits for the occasion.
Therein lies discord; the collision between grief and the media's desire to be first and best with its coverage has already produced some ugly clashes. Some South Africans complain that it is vulture-like and "un-African" to discuss the death of someone still alive, while journalists insist they have to do their jobs and that viewers and readers will demand coverage over those historic few days.
When the inevitable happens, however, there are fears that divisions within the family will be exposed. Nelson Mandela's grandson and heir apparent, Mandla Mandela, has become a divisive figure. There are reports that police want to charge him with bigamy and that he may be forced to reveal in court whether he has sold the TV rights to his grandfather's funeral. He also caused further upset when he ordered three of Nelson Mandela's children to be exhumed from Qunu and reburied 24 miles away in the hamlet where he is a chief, Mvezo.
Nelson Mandela was born in Mvezo and many presume Mandla will seek to have him buried there, alongside a money-spinning museum. Nonkumbulo Habe, a teacher in Qunu who is related to Nelson Mandela, said: "Mandla is a silly child. He is causing divisions in the family."
Mandla is the grandson of Nelson Mandela's late first wife, Evelyn Mase. His plans could well clash with those of Mandela's second wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and her formidable daughters, as well as his current wife, Graça Machel, herself a strong personality. But for many, the overriding emotion will be grief.
Following Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday in July 2008, it was decided to celebrate Mandela’s birthday each year with a day dedicated to his life’s work and that of his charitable organisations.
From 2010, 18 July was declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as “Nelson Mandela International Day.” The celebration of this international day recognises and gives credence to the former President’s commitment to human rights, conflict resolution and reconciliation.
“Mandela Day” is an annual celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life and a global call to action for people, particularly our world leaders to recognise their individual power to make an imprint and change the world around them. Perhaps Mandela’s “Long walk to freedom” was created to inspire people to embrace the values of democracy, and contribute towards the ideals of ensuring a just and fair society.
The Legacy Magazine Cyprus, June 2012 © Paul Lambis
Weight for me tomorrow. Paul
Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts.
For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com
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