Nelson Mandela; A truly remarkable man!

A mentor, human colossus and an enduring icon.

By Stanley Collymore

 

Twenty seven years of personal sacrifice selflessly but

passionately combined with a lifetime of national

and global inspiration to all those who

genuinely believe in freedom, justice for all

and equality of opportunity for everyone

to exploit their God-given attributes,

fully realize the ambitions they

aspire to and have earnestly

and positively set their

hearts and minds

on ultimately

achieving.

 

That’s your enduring legacy Madiba: the indisputable and

amazing embodiment of the resounding triumph of the

human spirit over the formidable and pernicious

challenges of adversity that one can and does

encounter, fashioning you as a result into

the Moral Colossus and the Giant of a

Man you inevitably became and will

forever remain in the full consciousness

of those who, as you most evidently

were, are likewise perceptively,

acutely and empathetically

in touch with their own

comprehensive and

inborn humanity.

 

Most notably among them the progeny of Mother

Africa that together with the children of her

wider Diaspora have proudly watched

you evolve into the fixed and guiding Southern Star

you eventually emerged as, and whose bright,

stubbornly undiminished and consoling

light permanently radiates both near and afar

serving as a trusted and reliable beacon of

reassurance whose influential moral compass

directs and assists us in navigating our way safely

and appreciatively through the perilous waters

of racism, bigotry, ill-natured intolerance

and the insidious contempt

generated by and routinely directed

at us from others on our onward

journey to the tranquil haven

of collective forgiveness,

mutual respect for

and much needed

reconciliation

towards one

another.

 

© Stanley V. Collymore

8 December 2013.

 

 

Tribute from the author of this Poem:

It was the cherished belief of Nelson Mandela and one fully endorsed by those of us who strive to emulate him and his ideals that to be free is not simply to cast off one’s chains of oppression but rather as well to live life in a way that respects, empowers and enhances the freedom and dignity of others, reinforcing as a consequence their integrity as human beings along with that of our own.

 

Let’s all then do our very best to fulfil those aspirations that this phenomenally great man lived and sacrificed his life for, and in the process fittingly keep his memory and legacy permanently alive.

 

Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika! And Tata Madiba! Rest in Peace and rise in Glory.