Mandela without you, Africa will not be Africa
He proved that no matter how oppressive man-made laws are, an indomitable human spirit cannot be silenced.
The world watches with bated breath as Nelson Mandela or Madiba, as he is fondly called, battles against his illness.
The great leader redefined courage and freedom, proving that persistent effort is the best weapon to ‘conquer that fear’ of failure that often keeps us from achieving our goals.
The fact that Mandela survived 27 years in prison before claiming his greatest political victory is awe-inspiring. Who would have ever imagined that a herd boy from a village on the banks of the Mbashe River would one day change forever the course of his entire nation? Indeed, legends like Mandela are not a coincidence. They are sent from the heavens above to help us sail to the shore no matter how hard a storm hits us.
Where Mandela triumphed in the fight against racism by standing firm in the face of local and international opposition, in this new struggle for survival he has only allies, well-wishers, followers. The whole world is with him, praying and hoping against hope for his recovery because Mandela is the perfect epitome of perseverance and conviction. He proved that no matter how oppressive man-made laws are, an indomitable human spirit cannot be silenced.
The great maestro of Assamese music, Dr Bhupen Hazarika once sang, "Zinda Mandela, Mandela Zindabad", paying ode to the greatness of Mandela’s work. Today, I want to pay my own respects to Mandela’s legacy. The following poem is dedicated his greatness:
“Mandela – We love you”
The silent crusader of a stormy night
Tirelessly you carried on the fight
I am black, you are white
I am wrong and you are right?
Voice silenced for 27 years
They rejoiced but you shed no tears
Metal bars couldn’t stop the resilient mind
The evil tormentors you managed to outshine
The resilient mind dreamt a dream
The herd boy revolted against the regime
The walk to freedom was too long,
Assiduously you carried on
Painstakingly you nurtured a nation
The world gave you a standing ovation
Heal the world once again, dear Madiba
Without you, Africa won't be Africa.
The great leader redefined courage and freedom, proving that persistent effort is the best weapon to ‘conquer that fear’ of failure that often keeps us from achieving our goals.
The fact that Mandela survived 27 years in prison before claiming his greatest political victory is awe-inspiring. Who would have ever imagined that a herd boy from a village on the banks of the Mbashe River would one day change forever the course of his entire nation? Indeed, legends like Mandela are not a coincidence. They are sent from the heavens above to help us sail to the shore no matter how hard a storm hits us.
Where Mandela triumphed in the fight against racism by standing firm in the face of local and international opposition, in this new struggle for survival he has only allies, well-wishers, followers. The whole world is with him, praying and hoping against hope for his recovery because Mandela is the perfect epitome of perseverance and conviction. He proved that no matter how oppressive man-made laws are, an indomitable human spirit cannot be silenced.
The great maestro of Assamese music, Dr Bhupen Hazarika once sang, "Zinda Mandela, Mandela Zindabad", paying ode to the greatness of Mandela’s work. Today, I want to pay my own respects to Mandela’s legacy. The following poem is dedicated his greatness:
“Mandela – We love you”
The silent crusader of a stormy night
Tirelessly you carried on the fight
I am black, you are white
I am wrong and you are right?
Voice silenced for 27 years
They rejoiced but you shed no tears
Metal bars couldn’t stop the resilient mind
The evil tormentors you managed to outshine
The resilient mind dreamt a dream
The herd boy revolted against the regime
The walk to freedom was too long,
Assiduously you carried on
Painstakingly you nurtured a nation
The world gave you a standing ovation
Heal the world once again, dear Madiba
Without you, Africa won't be Africa.