| 'Durban Special Tribute' image courtesy of www.news24.com |
I dislike news… well I dislike
watching it anyway. I think it focuses too much on the negative. It may sound
quite ignorant (or maybe that’s too strong a word) but really hearing about
war, murder and all that is bad in this world can leave you feeling quite
helpless, fearful, angry and less than optimistic about the world we live in.
People close to me, will tell you that it’s kind of ironic that I am not a fan of news...especially because I have ultimately chosen a career that demands that news take a central role in my life. And well despite my dislike for news, I pay attention to it, without giving it much internal focus, unless I am emotionally affected.
And well for the past few days, like most people in the world I have been emotionally affected by the news of Nelson Mandela’s Death. It is a weird feeling, on one hand we all knew he was old and could die at any moment but at the same time we hoped he would live forever, he was that great a person.
A lot has been written and will continue to be written about him, about his legacy, who he was and what he worked for. I am not going to spend time on that especially because my words wouldn't do justice to the immense gratitude, respect and admiration that I have for this great statesmen.
That being said, I think the best words that come to mind about Madiba, were made yesterday, at his state funeral, by her Excellency President Joyce Banda of Malawi, who said "I learnt that leadership is about falling in love with the people that you serve and the people falling in love with you". I thought that was so perfect, and fitting because that sums up how the world over felt about Mandela.
In essence I am writing today, with Nelson Mandela in mind, because his passing has reminded me that despite all the bad things that happen in this world, despite the unthinkable cruelty, and problems we still need to overcome as human beings…, giants walk among us!
These giants bring to life our greatest aspirations as human beings, they make us believe that we can overcome anything, and that fear has no power over love, they make us want to be and do greater. They make us believe in and work towards a better world, a world in which we are not so self-serving. They teach us that we aren't separate from other people, that separateness is an illusion, a lie… they teach us tolerance, humility, understanding and remind us that love is the most natural emotion we can and should express to our fellow man regardless of how they look or where they come from.
Nelson Mandela was truly a giant, a super hero…possibly cooler than the ones we read about in comic books or watch in blockbuster movies because he was so human, so real. He didn't pretend to be perfect or flawless, nor did he hide his imperfections, in fact he publicly acknowledged that he was a ‘sinner who was trying’. As a strong believer in the championing of all human rights, I look to this Giants life and take comfort in knowing that even the smallest of efforts can make a difference in the long term, and that no matter how tough a situation looks or how depressing it makes you feel (yes I am thinking of news here), it is often necessary to be aware of the bad, to understand it, to learn from it and to understand that no matter what good always prevails.
R.I.P Madiba, and most importantly thank you, for having shone your light, your courage, your spirit on the history of mankind. Thank you for having affected me, my world and for teaching me that i lose nothing by showing tolerance or respect for others despite our perceived differences.
People close to me, will tell you that it’s kind of ironic that I am not a fan of news...especially because I have ultimately chosen a career that demands that news take a central role in my life. And well despite my dislike for news, I pay attention to it, without giving it much internal focus, unless I am emotionally affected.
And well for the past few days, like most people in the world I have been emotionally affected by the news of Nelson Mandela’s Death. It is a weird feeling, on one hand we all knew he was old and could die at any moment but at the same time we hoped he would live forever, he was that great a person.
A lot has been written and will continue to be written about him, about his legacy, who he was and what he worked for. I am not going to spend time on that especially because my words wouldn't do justice to the immense gratitude, respect and admiration that I have for this great statesmen.
That being said, I think the best words that come to mind about Madiba, were made yesterday, at his state funeral, by her Excellency President Joyce Banda of Malawi, who said "I learnt that leadership is about falling in love with the people that you serve and the people falling in love with you". I thought that was so perfect, and fitting because that sums up how the world over felt about Mandela.
In essence I am writing today, with Nelson Mandela in mind, because his passing has reminded me that despite all the bad things that happen in this world, despite the unthinkable cruelty, and problems we still need to overcome as human beings…, giants walk among us!
These giants bring to life our greatest aspirations as human beings, they make us believe that we can overcome anything, and that fear has no power over love, they make us want to be and do greater. They make us believe in and work towards a better world, a world in which we are not so self-serving. They teach us that we aren't separate from other people, that separateness is an illusion, a lie… they teach us tolerance, humility, understanding and remind us that love is the most natural emotion we can and should express to our fellow man regardless of how they look or where they come from.
Nelson Mandela was truly a giant, a super hero…possibly cooler than the ones we read about in comic books or watch in blockbuster movies because he was so human, so real. He didn't pretend to be perfect or flawless, nor did he hide his imperfections, in fact he publicly acknowledged that he was a ‘sinner who was trying’. As a strong believer in the championing of all human rights, I look to this Giants life and take comfort in knowing that even the smallest of efforts can make a difference in the long term, and that no matter how tough a situation looks or how depressing it makes you feel (yes I am thinking of news here), it is often necessary to be aware of the bad, to understand it, to learn from it and to understand that no matter what good always prevails.
R.I.P Madiba, and most importantly thank you, for having shone your light, your courage, your spirit on the history of mankind. Thank you for having affected me, my world and for teaching me that i lose nothing by showing tolerance or respect for others despite our perceived differences.
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