NOW THAT MANDELA IS GONE, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

In describing his life, Mandela stated that "I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances. And that captures the true essence of the man that the world is honouring today. But was Mandela such an icon to begin with? Well, for those who have not heard, I don’t flatter people unnecessarily. It might sound a bit harsh but am sure Madiba will not have a problem with that.

Nelson “Madiba” Mandela was a very confidential individual who often made his feelings known to close confidants. He lived an ascetic life devoid of alcohol and cigarette but not women. Madiba as he was fondly called was like most men; he loved women, his country, the finest things in life and wanted peace in the world. He was well-known for his playful sense of wit and renowned for exhibiting both the attributes of warrior and a saint. Always sociable and hospitable, he often appeared comfortable amongst his adversaries and never ceased to be gracious and considerate. Mandela always gave a listening ear to everyone, regardless of their age, social standing or political interest. He was extremely conscious of the image he portrayed, and throughout his life always sought out to look his best with a piece of noble comportment.

His struggle for the freedom of his people and his uncanny act of forgiveness is why we all adore his memory today. He was not the only one that was imprisoned for the struggle against apartheid (Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Andrew Mlangeni, Billy Nair, Elias Motsoaledi, Raymond Mhlaba and Dennis Goldberg were also sentenced to life imprisonment during the Rivonia Trial). However, his late release from the Victor Vester Prison on February 11, 1990, automatically made a symbol of the struggle. And what he did upon release symbolizes the man that many will remember for a long time to come.  

Most of us will not have the ‘’opportunity’’ to be imprisoned but we are all in one form of confinement or the other. Some of us are locked up in the hearts of some heartless people or in various perilous situations. We will all be free one day and be faced with that ‘’Mandela Moment’’ when have to look at our captors in the eye and say ‘’I forgive you”. Forgiveness is a decision of the will and we must all make a conscious choice to forgive at one point or the other. Forgiveness is not granted because a person deserves it but it’s simply an act of love and a decision to not hold something against another person, despite what they have done to you.

His struggle for the freedom of his people and his uncanny act of forgiveness is why we all adore his memory today. He was not the only one that was imprisoned for the struggle against apartheid (Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Andrew Mlangeni, Billy Nair, Elias Motsoaledi, Raymond Mhlaba and Dennis Goldberg were also sentenced to life imprisonment during the Rivonia Trial). However, his late release from the Victor Vester Prison on February 11, 1990, automatically made a symbol of the struggle. And what he did upon release symbolizes the man that many will remember for a long time to come.

Most of us will not have the ‘’opportunity’’ to be imprisoned but we are all in one form of confinement or the other. Some of us are locked up in the hearts of some heartless people or in various perilous situations. We will all be free one day and be faced with that ‘’Mandela Moment’’ when have to look at our captors in the eye and say ‘’I forgive you”. Forgiveness is a decision of the will and we must all make a conscious choice to forgive at one point or the other. Forgiveness is not granted because a person deserves it but it’s simply an act of love and a decision to not hold something against another person, despite what they have done to you.

My brothers and sisters let us stop jumping over ourselves on who is closest to being a Mandela in our country or who will become Nigeria’s Madiba. South Africa has given us Mandela, India has given us Mother Theresa and America has given us Martin Luther King Jr. Are you that good thing that can come out of Nigeria? It is a question we need to confront in a country were very few are less concerned about the legacy they would leave behind.

Someone made a joke about the fact that if Nelson Mandela were to have been locked up in one of the Nigerian Prisons, the story would have been different. I agree to a certain degree with that opinion but I also believe the story would not necessarily have been for the worse. Nigerians have been known to be the happiest people in the world because of our reputation of ‘’suffering and smiling’’. We are all in our little prisons here and there fighting against our own demon popularly known as corruption.

I am one of the few people (Please don’t ask who the others are) who believe Nigeria will one day be free of corruption. It might take longer than Mandela spent in Prison for me to behold that day but I will keep fighting for as long as it will take. Corruption thrives because the people have had an overdose injected in their systems. There is nothing wrong with the entity called Nigeria, we are too blessed (Just informing those who have realized) but the minds of the people needs to be purged of corruption. That might take some time but we will keep contributing our 50 kobo from here. Hopefully, the world will not forget our widow’s mite.

On a lighter note, I have just returned from the mountain where I went to seek more powers that will enable me become the next Mandela. And I have resolved to forgive all those who have imprisoned me financially, emotionally, spiritually and otherwise. You won’t blame me will you, when I have forces from the top also jostling for the position. Abeg make una vote for me, I no go disappoint una. And hopefully, I will leave a better legacy than Madiba. In conclusion, there is a drop of Mandela in everyman Winnie in every woman. Discover your Mandela today and free your family, community, society and country of any bondage that has stood in its way to redemption. If you have to forgive someone in the process, don’t hesitate.