I've been trying to process a few things since Thursday 5 December, 2013 as I watched President Jacob Zuma on a cable network make that fateful announcement about the passing on of Mr Nelson Mandela. I know exactly where I was and what I was doing when my attention was drawn to Jacob Zuma looking more presidential and sober than I had known him in the media. Shortly after the speech, the whole world seemed to have been woken up by some "cock crow at dawn" event at a sunset! In my entire life, I've never witnessed a human so revered by a cross section of the society. From the United States of America to the Middle East and from Africa to Asia; from all religious faiths to humanists and atheists, condolences and kind words poured in for one man. Country after country announced days of mourning and national flags to be flown at half mast. It was more like the coming of a deity than the passing of a mortal. Madiba redefined greatness and widespread acclaim in life, and even more at death than any humans in recent history.
Mandela stood for Human Rights and was ready to be
imprisoned or even give up life itself to assert that Human Rights were not
candies that could be handed out free by some generous merchants. No, Human
Rights are inalienable. Human rights are birthrights and are not conferred by
any persons or institutions. It is the right to the dignity of life itself.
Mandela spent 27 years of his life in prison affirming such Rights until
the oppressive forces realised the futility of apportioning or rationing Rights.
We are born with Human Rights. This post is therefore dedicated to a man whose
life, struggles, failures and successes typify our humanity, and how our Rights
are at the core of essence of living. Many of our careers in the contemporary
society reflect our attempt to correct a shift from the core. If there were no
breach of rights to dignity and respect, we would not need to manage sexual
violence and the sequelae of sexual assault/rape. If there were no breach of rights, we
wouldn't be talking of torture, assault and murder charges, and the need for
forensic death investigation in such regard; if there were no breach of rights,
there wouldn't be corruption and other forms of misappropriation of resources
which deny ordinary people some means of decent living. If there were no breach
of rights, people would live up to their responsibility and our institutions
would work. If there were no breach of rights, the principles of equality
before the law wouldn't apply and there wouldn't be any class system that would
make some more equal than others. If
there were no breach of rights, Mandela wouldn't need a 27 year sojourn on
Robben Island to make a decisive statement.
As we reflect on what all this means and why one man
has appeared larger than life even in death, we can determine to commit to any
noble cause that outlives us; a cause that seeks for greater good; a cause that
upholds the sanctity of humanity; a cause that seeks the best in others; a
cause that appreciates diversity as an expression of the beauty of colour and
variety; a cause that defies stereotypes and prejudice; and a cause that
embraces workable compromise, reconciliation and peace.
Madiba, with all the
frailty of human nature and imperfections therein, lived his life in the
pursuit of such a noble cause. A befitting respect and tribute to this icon will be to live a
life that respects, upholds and defends Human Rights.
