Nelson Mandela (often known as Madiba his Xhosa clan name) is a global icon enormously respected and revered the world over. He has been courted by the all the world’s leaders, the rich and famous and anyone of significant importance on the global stage. His background is well documented as is the long years he spent in imprisonment and his subsequent release leading to his becoming the first black African president in South Africa to be elected in a fully representative democratic election.
 

Birthday boy: Nelson Mandela turns 94 on July 18

Photo from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/17/nelson-mandela-birthday-former-south-african-president-celebrates-94th-year-pictures_n_1679875.html

What is also very well documented, talked about and demonstrated is the respect and adoration the west has for him. In the United Kingdom there is a statue of him in parliament square as well as a bust near the Royal festival hall both in London. This is in addition to having various buildings, streets and roads named after him. I have not heard of similar accolades being given to him in any country on the African continent nor do we hear a lot about what Africans feel and say about this great man. In view of this fact it may be useful to explore the role that Nelson Mandela has had and still continues to have in shaping African consciousness.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Mvezo near Umtata in the Transkei, South Africa on July 18th 1918.His father was Chief Henry Mgadla Mandela of the Thembu tribe he was chief councillor to Thembuland’s acting paramount chief David Dalindyebo. When his father died he became the chief’s ward and was groomed for the chieftainship.
Mandela was educated at University College of Fort Hare and the university of Witwatersrand and qualified in law in 1942.He joined the African national congress in 1942 and was engaged in resistance against the ruling National party’s apartheid policies after 1948.He went on trial for treason in 1956-1961 and was acquitted in 1961.After the banning of ANC in 1960 Nelson Mandela argued for the setting up of the military wing within the ANC. This was the same year of the Sharpeville massacre where hundreds of school children were killed whilst protesting against apartheid by South African police.

In June 1961the ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violent tactics and it was agreed that those members who wished to involve themselves in Mandela’s campaign would not be stopped from doing so by the ANC. This led to the formation of the Umkhonto We Sizwe the military wing of the ANC. A similar organisation was the IRA which was the military wing of Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour.

In 1963 when many of ANC and Umkhonto We Sizwe leaders were arrested Mandela was brought to stand trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. His statement at the dock received considerable international publicity. On the 12th of June 1964 Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment and he was not released till February 11th 1990.

Over the years the campaign for his release grew considerably due to his longevity in prison and the fact that the system of apartheid became increasingly intolerable for the west. The world demanded his release and an end to apartheid. It was very obvious that Africans alone were powerless to put pressure either economically or socially on the then Pretoria government to secure his release and aid a democratic South Africa to come into existence.
In fact some would say that as Africans themselves were mostly unable to demonstrate anything near a responsible, democratic government in their various countries it would have been impossible to make any significant overtures to the South African government as it then was.

In the West there had been various very well organized “Free Nelson Mandela” campaigns which were very militant and particularly aggressive in putting pressure on their respective governments to secure the release of the great man. These campaigns were able to influence initiatives against the Pretoria regime such as economic sanctions. In essence western countries had clout both economically and socially to influence change in South Africa, Africans did not.
My assertion is that despite all of these constraints ordinary Africans have a lot of respect and reverence for Nelson Mandela. He is regarded as a man of immense mental strength, courage and more importantly one who has lived a sacrificial exemplary life giving up his freedom and a normal life for the wellbeing and benefit of his country and its people.
I think that is what takes him to a different level in comparison with other African leaders who time and time again demonstrate in any and every possible way their scant regard for their own people, the rule of law, the democratic process and the economic welfare of their countries.

I did a survey of sorts to find out what Africans outside of South Africa thought of him the comments I obtained were as follows:

“Survived many years in jail came out unbelievably good natured and without bitterness”
“The sort of leader all Africans wish could be replicated in every country across the continent.”
“He is the blueprint of how African presidents should behave.”
“He has been nothing but honourable in all his political dealings.”
“He is a true role model”
“A man of calm, peace and steel.
Mr South Africa”.
“I only think of his time in Roben Island and what he must have suffered to set his people free”.
“One of the best in the history of today”.
“A great man and a hero”.
“His leadership style, his humbleness, his vision and his persistence to hold on despite the challenges he was facing.”
“I wish Nigeria had a leader like him.”
“One of Africa’s greatest sons. He spent 27 years in prison and yet never lost his humanity. He kept the ANC on the straight and narrow when he came to power unlike his successors. He has shown the world that there is great dignity in being an African.”
“Africa needs him.”
“Today he is the father of all Africans”
“Mandela is my political hero many Africans revere Mugabe more which is why the continent is in the xxxxx state it is in. Mandela has taught us that there can be dignity in politics.”
“Just by being himself he has awakened African consciousness.”
“After his release he was in power for only one term then he successfully handed over. This is different for most African rulers who forcefully remain in power through stealing elections for instance Kenya and Ivory Coast. Mandela retired honourably that is why I salute him.”
“Here in Nigeria if we have somebody like him we will go far”
One opposing view was obtained from a South African and it said this:
”Nelson Mandela did not empower his people. He is a hero to many people but it is more about blind loyalty. Ask that question to many Africans in this country and they will only be able to tell you that he is a great man and no reason given to support their answer. To me he is just another man whose simplicity went too far as head of state. He gave away too much during negotiations that brought about democracy in 1994 condemning the blacks to a life of squalor and poverty. How could he allow supremacist groups to exist after 1994 namely the AWB. It should have been banned like Mugabe did with the notorious Sealous scouts in 1980.What in real terms did Mandela’s celebrated status bring to the man on the ground. Not anything worth mentioning really. In the meantime the western media and PR machine are busy creating a celebrity out of him.”

Mandela may have been created into a worldwide celebrity by the Western media/PR machine but I would consider that it is well deserved for the sacrifice that he has made for his people, country and continent as a whole. His selflessness and altruistic nature are worth celebrating. These are obviously qualities that are admired and worthy of celebration by peoples the world over. For us Africans he goes against the grain of what other African leaders have been to their people he stayed on in office for only one term and even though he would easily have secured a second term he decided that he had done enough and left. Other leaders such as Mugabe in Zimbabwe, Bagbo in Ivory Coast and Abdoulaye Wade in Senegal have held on or manipulated to hold on with ferocious tenacity to the leadership of their countries believing that only they have the divine mandate to govern their countries. Mandela has not amassed a huge fortune at the expense of his people or his country. He personally is not tainted with allegations of corruption. He has shown respect for those with different views accepting their right to be different. He has demonstrated to us Africans that there is a different way of being African. For myself and millions of other Africans that contributes significantly to our consciousness of who we are and gives us an enormous sense of pride in being African.

By Nyamacoro Silla