Mourning Nelson Mandela
From Joyce Graff:
I’d like to ask you to join me in taking a moment to reflect on the passing of a great world leader, Nelson Mandela.
I was struck when I was in South Africa that everyone I spoke with about Mr. Mandela simply glowed when they talked about him — white, black, Indian, all adored him. He did a great deal to heal old wounds, bring people together, and help build everyone’s self-respect as well as their respect for others.
Mandela served 27 years at hard labor in a prison on Robben Island. I visited the old prison, which is now a national historical site, and was struck by the motto on the front gate: in Afrikaans the phrase “work makes free,” a resounding echo of the Nazi concentration camps with their hollow promise that work would make you free. After that experience, that he could come out and preach reconciliation rather than revenge was a profound lesson for all humanity.
Presiding over the transition from apartheid minority rule to a multicultural democracy, Mandela saw national reconciliation as the primary task of his presidency. Having seen other post-colonial African economies damaged by the departure of white elites, Mandela worked to reassure South Africa’s white population that they were protected and represented in “the Rainbow Nation.” “We all need each other.”
Books of his aphorisms were in every gift shop, alongside books for children teaching that all people are equal and worthy of respect. It has been a long and difficult journey for South Africa, just as it has been for Americans since the 1960’s. We all need to continue this work-in-progress, and keep in mind the good guidance of Mandela and Dr. King.
I received the following note on December 7 from Michael Herbst, head of the Cancer Association of South Africa. I reprint this here with his permission:
“The last two days have been quite hectic. As you all know by now, the previous President of South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela, passed away on Thursday evening (December 5, 2013) at about 20:50 (local time). Since the public announcement, all four (4) public television channels have cancelled all their normal broadcasting – all four channels are totally dedicated to a 24-hour coverage of events around the death of Mr Mandela and events as they unfold minute-by-minute. Even today there is still no normal TV coverage on either of the 4 channels. Ten (10) days of mourning have been announced and Mr Mandela will be laid to rest on the 15th Nov in his rural village of Chunu. Special planes have been arranged to fly all invited guests from Gauteng to the Eastern Cape Province to an airport approximately 30km from Mr Mandela’s rural village. From there they will all be transported by luxury bus to attend the burial. All dignitaries will then be transported back to the airport to fly back to their hotel rooms. The distance between Johannesburg International Airport (from where dignitaries will depart to Umtata) is about 600 km (375 miles).
“A different event has been planned for every day of the period of mourning which commenced with the ceremony of ‘the closing of the eyes’ which is a traditional ceremony whereby the ‘eyes of the dead person is closed’ ceremoniously so that he/she can peacefully cross over.
“There are no hotel rooms available in the whole of our Province (Gauteng) – the Government has booked every single hotel room until the 25th of November. This was done to be able to accommodate all the expected dignitaries. It has been said that this will be the biggest funeral in history!
“We have so far heard that the following will be attend the funeral from the US: Barak and Michelle Obama, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey. Have not heard anything yet from elsewhere.
“The amount of worldwide attention is astonishing! The US announced that all flags at missions, etc will fly at half-mast. The UK made similar announcements.
“Attached is a photograph of how my Organisation (CANSA) is showing its participation in grieving for this World Icon. We have a picture of the late Mr Mandela with a small floral arrangement and lit candle that will remain on the counter of our reception area until after the funeral.
“Just thought I would share this with you.
“Kind Regards
“Michael C”
Prof Michael C Herbst
Head: Health
[D Litt et Phil (Health Studies); D N Ed; M Art et Scien; B A Cur; Dip Occupational Health]
Cancer Association of South Africa – Head Office
Address: 26 Concorde Road West, Bedfordview, 2008
Postal: PO Box 2121, Bedfordview, 2008
