There were
moments of despair. Moments when he would have questioned his decision to join
public life, during his years in jail, in midst of loneliness and separation
from family, his strength might have eluded him. Interestingly he too had some
good time before that ‘long walk to freedom’ – some flings, courtship with one
of the most desired ladies, his second wife Winni, and a flourishing legal
practice. Yes…as it might look…it all started like any other normal life, but
then he learnt and evolved along the way. He failed time and again, but
continued on his path – finally leading to a life which today is no less than of
a saint.
However in his
own words “I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps
on trying.” You might have got it right by now. I am talking about respected Nelson
Mandela who died last week.
This blog piece
is my tribute to him, one of my personal icons. I once accidently caught hold of
his biography, though it is disputed to be ghost written, named ‘Long Walk to
Freedom’ and for next two weeks I lived his story till the book was complete. Each
event of his life is inspiring. He lived a full life - of good careless
childhood, of satisfied marital bliss, of successful career, of separation and
arrest, of moral rise and evolution of statesmanship. A full life, worth every
bit of it.
His act of reconciliation
and path on which South Africa surged in his presidency is exemplary. Two incidents
from his life will always remain with me. Sharing below for you:
Once at Robben
Island where he spent 18 years of his 27 years long jail term, guards ordered
Mr. Mandela to dig a grave shaped trench in the prison yard. He thought that
this was his end. But instead as he stood in the grave he had dug, they
urinated on him. Years later, when drawing up the list of the select group to
invite to his inauguration as president of South Africa, Mr. Mandela insisted
on inviting his former jailers and guards.
And other
incident is about his active participation and support for springboks rugby
team during rugby world cup 1995. Springboks was predominantly a white team
with huge fan following amongst white community. He used the event carefully to
convey the message of peace and unity thorough the path of reconciliation. His
shared the poem ‘Invictus’ with the team to inspire them before the final. Mr.
Mandela read it time and again to seek strength during his oppressive stay at
Robben Island. I conclude my tribute to Mr. Mandela with the lines of Invictus.
Rest in Peace Mr. Mandela! You life is an inspiration. It’s a challenge
for all of us to imbibe even bits of the values you lived with.
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For your unconquerable
soul
Good Bye Madiba!
watch the adaption of the poem in a movie with the same name: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1dSFhM2X-V4
