WHO MADIBA IS TO ME: 18 JULY 2013

Who Madiba Is To Me

Written on: 18 July 2013

by: Lelethu Yeki 

I 

I Live In A Democracy

I am South African youth citizen of the 21^st century. I am able to sit in a class filled with White, Black, Coloured, Indian, Asian and almost any race or culture one could think of. I am able to attend the school of my choice and get the education that every child deserves. I am able to hop onto a bus, taxi or perhaps a train with  my mates and peers, with no restrictions whatsoever. I am able to get dropped off at the mall of my choice, watch the movies of my choice, with my fellow mates, that are not necessarily of the same pigment as I am. I sit in a class and environment in which the pigment of your skin “does not matter” , where the difference between black and white is as relevant as sunblock in Antartica. I live in a day and age in which the pigment of my skin does not limit the opportunities I have or my future one day. I live in a century where the pigment of my skin doesn’t determine my ability or the way people will treat me. I LIVE IN A DEMOCRACY.

All of the above was made possible through the fight and struggle of many black South Africans, being led by Nelson Mandela and his fellow comrades, as many would say. For many people and myself, when the name “Mandela” or “Madiba” is mentioned, one instantly thinks of nothing but greatness.   To this generation, Nelson Mandela is a hero, a fighter, a champion, a believer, a highly respected Samaritan, an extraordinary leader and a father to the entire nation.   Mandela pulled though for this country and completely flipped it around into something many people thought impossible, and for this I am extremely grateful as I would not be able to live the life that I’m living today.  

As much as Tata Madiba is an inspiration and hero for this country, I personally feel he gets way to much praise and not enough recognition and acknowledgement is given   to so many other comrades  and leaders such as Steve Biko, Oliver Tambo, Robert Sobukhwe, whom in fact was in prison for a very long time, whom lead the PAC ( Pan African Congress) for many years from behind bars. Sobukhwe’s passion and perseverance for the freedom fight and brutal approach to the apartheid put him under solitary confinement for 6 whole years, where he eventually died. Many of Sobukhwe’s teachings are being put into practice right now and I could bet majority of the South Africans would have no idea who I am referring to, which to me is extremely sad.

Yes Madiba is my hero, for my all his efforts but I simply feel, more recognition and praise should be given to the other people that fought the struggle, because at the end of the day, it could not have been done by one person.