For Nelson Mandela… : People’s Progressive Party hosts a night of reflection
THE People’s Progressive Party last evening hosted a night of reflection to celebrate the life of former South African President, Nelson Mandela.
The audience at “A Night of Reflection” on the Life and Death of Nelson Mandela at the Umana Yana
The event, at Umana Yana in Kingston was attended by Acting President Samuel Hinds, ministers of the government, members of the Diplomatic Corps and members of the public, many of whom wanted to learn more about the life of Nelson Mandela, the man whose life has inspired and moved not only South Africans, but billions of people around the world.
Presidential Advisor, Gail Texeira, who chaired the proceedings, referred to Mandela as one of the greatest people of the 20th and 21st centuries. She read a letter sent out by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to all South Africans at home and abroad. An excerpt from the letter said, “Our nation has lost a colossus, an epitome of humility, equality, justice, peace and the hope of millions. The large African Boabab, who loved Africa as much as he loved South Africa, has fallen. Its trunk and seeds will nourish the earth for decades to come.”
Ms. Texeira reminded the audience that the PPP, as a party supported, the ANC in their struggle against apartheid and that the party is proud to have done so. Describing apartheid as a most inhuman system, she expressed her joy in the fact that it is gone.
United Nations Resident Representative Khadija Musa, who also spoke at the occasion, said, “It is hard to find words that adequately pay tribute to Mr. Mandela – at least words that have not been said many times over, both before and since his passing.” Ms. Musa reflected on the fact that so many people have been touched by the life and example of Mandela and speak so well of him, as a testimony to his greatness and transcendence.
“For us at the United Nations, Mandela personified all the ideals that the United Nations is founded upon: equality, justice, common security and peace. His passing gives us pause to really reflect on what he has meant for our world,” said Ms. Musa. She added that Madiba, as he was commonly known by family and friends, joins a small group of human beings, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, who, by the force of their character, convictions, courage, compassion, words and deeds, made the ideals of peace, forgiveness, courage, compassion, non-violence and reconciliation heroic.
Ms. Musa noted that as she reflects on the example of Mandela, she draws a number of conclusions that Mandela taught us and will hopefully continue to teach even in death. These are that one individual can make a difference not only in his community and country, but in the whole world, and that forgiveness has tremendous redemptive value, for both the forgiver and forgiven.
“Reconciliation is not an inconsequential and fuzzy concept alien to politics, but one that is greatly relevant for all times and can provide a framework for organising politics. Indeed, because of Mandela and his example in South Africa, we can talk about ‘politics’ and ‘reconciliation’ in the same breath,” said Ms. Musa.
Ms. Musa added that the quest for justice and fairness is irrepressible and is common to all human beings, regardless of class, geography, creed or race, and that in the end; these values will triumph over all machinations of those who attempt to curtail them.
The UN representative remarked that no experience is so painful that it cannot be turned into an ally in the construction of a future that will prevent a repeat of such pain. She noted that everywhere there are examples of people who have become so embittered by their pain that they don’t hesitate to inflict pain on others, and that Mandela was different, in that he demonstrated tremendous grace towards those who jailed him for years, destroyed his family and health, and denied the humanity of the majority of South Africans.
Ms. Musa urged the audience, as they bid farewell to Madiba, to emulate his example. She noted that many are building memorials of bronze and stone, but the best memorial that anyone can build is to try to emulate Mandela’s life. Ways that we can do this, according to Ms. Musa, is to act courageously in the pursuit of justice and fairness in our countries and the world; to embrace differences and promote justice, fairness, understanding and reconciliation in our societies; and to be as Gandhi said, “The change we want to see in the world.”
Minister of Home Affairs and PPP General Secretary read excerpts from Mr. Mandela’s autobiography, “A Long Walk to Freedom,” reflecting on the similarities between Mandela’s childhood and the childhood of Dr. Cheddi Jagan. However, the similarities didn’t end there. Mr. Rohee also noted further similarities between Mandela’s later life, when he became a lawyer and politician and was fighting against apartheid, in the same way that Dr Jagan experienced racism in the United States and fought for the rights of the Guyanese people.
The event didn’t only feature speeches, though. There were also performances by dancers from the National Dance School as well as the beating of African drums by a group of drummers.
Written By Jimmy Roos
