He was not born with a hunger to be free. He was born free. Little did he know that his boyhood freedom was an illusion and that his freedom had already been taken away from him. It was then that he begun to hunger for it. This was a man who devoted his entire life to fight for freedom, equality and justice for humanity which eventually brought an end to the White minority Apartheid regime in South Africa.

The life of this great son of Africa is so inspirational and touching. A man who mentored and role modeled millions of people around the world and became an iconic figure of leadership. The exemplarily leadership and personal life led by Nelson Mandela should be incorporated in our very fabric of life as citizens of Africa.

Mandela’s life embodied a holistic view of principles and virtues ever lived in this contemporary world. In fact, he was well rounded in all aspects of life. The life of Nelson Mandela as a freedom fighter, a prisoner, and finally as a president and post presidency; captures a broad spectrum of valuable moral lessons, principles and philosophies which we must emulate in order to live his legacies. As we mourn the death and celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela, let us reflect on the life of this great hero and assess our lives in light of the life and achievements of Mandela.

Vision

Mandela had well defined ideals for which he lived for and eventually achieved. Mandela envisaged a free South Africa – a land where the black and the white would hold hands and live together as one people, a land of equal opportunity for everyone to develop his or her potentials. A land where the black man would be dignified to have a sense of ownership of his own land. He dreamt of a new South Africa where one would not be discriminated upon whether at the bus station, at school, or at the workplace just because of the colour of his skin. Mandela imagined a new day in South Africa where the black man could exercise his franchise freely.

The people of Africa, especially the leaders and the youth, let us rise with a dream of a new Africa: an Africa capable of managing her own resources, an Africa fulfilling the hopes, dreams and aspirations of her people. Let’s cherish a beautiful vision of Africa - a land where poverty, HIV/AIDS, ignorance, illiteracy and hunger would be no more. Above all, we should visualize an Africa which is at peace with itself.“I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems on this continent” Nelson Mandela. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.

Commitment

His commitments to a cause of liberating his people and by extension the African people from the shackles of apartheid landed him nearly three decades behind bars. He still remained resolute in pursing his ideals. Mandela together with his colleagues dedicated their lives selflessly to freedom fighting. Mandela wholly immersed himself and committed every aspect of his being in the struggle against the apartheid regime.

The good people of Africa, there are no lasting successes without commitment and again commitment moves one into action. The development of our dear continent must be dear to our hearts. Our political leaders, religious leaders, opinion and traditional leaders, leaders of institutions and civil societies must be committed to the development and transformation of our nations, communities and institutions. They must not only show cosmetic commitment, but show these values through their thoughts, decisions and actions.

Individuals alike must demonstrate commitment at the family level, community level and at the national front. Being faithful in little things will go a long way of transforming our own lives and the lives of especially the poor and the vulnerable into more meaningful lives. Mandela lived and fought for the poor, the illiterate, the vulnerable, the oppressed and even the oppressor.

Sacrifice

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela made a great deal of sacrifices throughout his lifetime. He had the option of working as an attorney in his law firm where if anything at all, he was assured of wealth. Mandela opted for the hard path. He devoted greater part of his time to the activities of the African National Congress (ANC) and spent little time with his family and friends. Mandela lived the life of an outcast in his own land to pursue the activities of the ANC. Twenty seven years of his active years were spent behind the desolate bars of Rhoben Island and Pollsmoor prisons.

His sacrifices were rooted in his dream to the extent that he was prepared to lay down his own life for the ideals of a new South Africa that he envisaged. As he read in the dock on the day of his trail “l have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die“.A sacrifice so big even at the expense of one’s life.

Africa’s success depends on the sacrifices leaders, civil servants, workers, students and everybody alike makes at various levels. Perhaps we may not sacrifice everything as our hero did, but our little contributions will go a long way of propelling Africa from a so called dark continent to new Africa. The whole world is mourning the death and as well celebrating the life of Mandela not because he was a supernatural human being.

He was an ordinary human being who became a liberator and a leader out of extra ordinary circumstances due to the sacrifices he made as a freedom fighter. Indeed, a good name is better than great riches – a valuable lesson for African leaders. Let’s give Africa our human resource capabilities, our energy, our ideas, innovations and time. In this regard no sacrifice is too small and no sacrifice is too big. If all you can do is a little bit, do it because those little bits will add up to become mighty. Little sacrifices such as devoting time to work will go a long way of totaling the development efforts of Africa.

Forgiving– Heart

He had every reason to avenge his opponents who put him behind bars for fighting a good cause to liberate his people. During those years of the struggle, he was tortured, abused and went through pain. He was subjected to very harsh conditions in prison coupled with hard labour, allowed a visitor once every six months and had his letters heavily censored whiles in prison. He could have naturally and easily punished his opponents when he became the first black president. But Mandela never paid wrong with wrong. He was peace-loving. He called for reconciliation with the enemy, genuinely living the virtues of forgiveness, humility and love. He walked out of prison to liberate the oppressor and the oppressed both.

We should endeavor to forgive one another despite the gravity of offence people may wrong us with. We should eschew bitterness, hatred and anger for one another. Paying evil with evil does not make things right. Prejudice and revenge are not options. Mandela came to teach the world that love builds bridges and forgiveness repairs damages. Africans, let’s appreciate that we are one people with one common destiny be it black or coloured, Christian, Islam or otherwise, whether from the north, south, east or west. In unity we are able to synergize to pursue a common goal for the good of all.

Mandela was tactical and diplomatic in negotiating with the opponent. In dealing with people, we should be tactical and advance our cause, send our messages across without hurting feelings and resorting to violence. Let’s respect one another. Whatever our difference or difficulties we may have with people, lets resolve it amicably and peacefully so that together we build a better Africa.

Nelson Mandela, an icon of leadership and an epitome of justice, equality and freedom. He is revered all around the world as a true statesman who fought selflessly to liberate his people. We salute you Madiba for you have lived a life worthy of emulation. You started a long walk to freedom of yourself, your people and Africans. You won a Herculean battle worth fighting for. You demonstrated to the world that virtues and principles cannot be compromised no matter the situation.You brought a paradigm shift in leadership and redefined leadership in your own style. Your legacy of peaceful coexistence, freedom, selflessness, commitment and forgiveness lives on. Africa, the world is proud of you.

Rest well, Madiba.

Stephen Ametepey

University of Ghana, Legon.

ametamet60@yahoo.com