Not Ready To Let Go

He is ninety-four years old, and the world is not yet ready to let him go.  The hospitalization of Nelson Mandela made head-line news around world, and people stood outside his hospital in Pretoria praying for his recovery.  Such is the magnetism of Mandela that even at the age of ninety-four, people want and expect him to live and be well.  Few in South Africa can imagine their country without his presence, even though he has not been involved in political life since 2004, when he retired as President at the age of eighty-four.  The well-wishers who gathered on the street in front of his hospital ranged from  young people who were not old enough to vote for him when he was politically active to people who waited for him through-out his twenty-seven years of imprisonment and saw him become their President. 

            Nelson is indeed an amazing man.  The passionate leader of the anti-apartheid movement was born into a South African royal family.  He attended university and went to law school.   In 1953, he and a partner opened their law firm in downtown Johannesburg , the only African law firm in the entire country.  Their legal services were used mostly by aggrieved Africans and most cases dealt with police brutality.   Soon, authorities forced the lawyers to close their popular office by removing their office permit.  The forced relocation to a less prominent location caused the decline of clients.  These were the years that saw Mandela become politically active as he led the fight against apartheid.  Throughout the following years, Mandela was placed under several travel bans and eventually was imprisoned for his beliefs and actions.

            When running for the office of President of South Africa, Mandela promoted peace rather than revenge and committed to peace and reconciliation.  After he won the election, Mandela presided over the transition to a multicultural democracy from apartheid.  He considered national reconciliation as his main goal.  He was the glue which held his country together when it was going through its most difficult time. 

            Mandela became a national and world-wide hero.  Along with his political convictions, what made him stand apart were his charisma and the regal manner in which he always carried himself.  No matter what life threw at him, he held on to his dignity and pride.  He won many awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize and met with many world leaders.  He brought world attention to South Africa and the people there have never forgotten what he fought for and what he accomplished. 

            So, it is easy to understand why South Africans pray for his recovery.  It is no wonder the world is not ready to say goodbye to this man.  We know the day will come sooner than later, but we just want to have him with us for a little longer.   Acklnowledging a truly great man . . .  it's a good thing!