Mandela at 90; after a lifetime as a freedom fighter, he has shown the world the true power of forgiveness

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:29 PM EDT

Article Source: The Root

world-news

Seeded by Scott (Scoop) Butki

Mandela is truly one of my heros

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Scott (Scoop) Butki

And he was masterful in making public gestures to hammer home his conciliatory mission. Who would ever have imagined the scene when South Africa won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and Mandela strode onto the field at Ellis Park Stadium wearing the jersey of the team captain. In a spectacularly powerful moment of symbolism, the throng of Afrikaners chanted, "Nelson! Nelson! Nelson!"—though Afrikaners at that time weren't fully embracing black rule and often wouldn't even sing the new national anthem.

Yes, Mandela would forgive. But he would not forget. His political agenda was crafted as corrective for all the damage the Afrikaners had done under apartheid. He had to transform an economy that had once served only whites; uplift the black poor; rewrite the legal canon; bring some human rights to a people who had for so long been denied. And the truth commission, under Archbishop Desmond Tutu, would tend to the healing, the forgiveness.

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#1 - Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:29 PM EDT

{"commentId":2218341,"authorDomain":"Tenurist"}

Lilithbytes

In terms of leaders I try to remember no matter how great a leader, it is their cause or the cause for which they are remembered, the tribulations in Africa continue. The acts construct our heroes and villains, just as we judge our leaders in power today. The presidency of Mr Mandela was a significant act, but we remember that it is all for very little, if the system collapses, and as troubles continue, we hope for secure and shared future in Africa and the world so that we can remember the acts great leaders such as Nelson Mandela.

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2 votes

#2 - Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:16 PM EDT

{"commentId":2219274,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

I heard an NPR interview with a Time editor who co-wrote Mandela's biography and he noted something I'd overlooked - that Mandela's decision to retire did something many other African leaders did not, he did not just talk about democracy but then stay on as leader for 20 years though he had the supports and votes to do so but by retiring after one term he was ensuring true democracy took place.

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1 vote

#2.1 - Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:34 PM EDT

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	Mandela's village spruces up for his 90th birthday	Associated Press	Thu Jul 17	0
	Nelson Mandela Turns 90	Democracy Now!	Thu Jul 17	0

SCOTT (SCOOP) BUTKI

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Mandela at 90; after a lifetime as a freedom fighter, he has shown the world the true power of forgiveness

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