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 21st 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.