Obituary: Politicians, civil society shower tributes on Mandela

ISLAMABAD:

As the world mourned the death of iconic South African leader Nelson Mandela on Friday, condolence messages also poured in from Pakistan’s federal capital.

Political parties and civil society activists expressed shock and grief over the demise of the great leader.

“Mandela was one of the greatest leaders born in the 20th century,” Senator Mushahid Hussain said. “He went for reconciliation despite what he suffered.”

The Pakistan Muslim League senator said he was Minister-in-Waiting for him during his three-day second and last visit to Pakistan in May 1999. He found Mandela “soft-spoken, polite and humble”.

Hussain said through his clean governance and avoidance of self-enriching politics, Mandela has set an example for politicians and leaders everywhere, especially Pakistan.



There are three lessons for Pakistan’s politicians from Mandela’s life and politics. “First of all, countries and leaders should move on, not look back but look forward,” Hussain said.

“Secondly, when you become president of a country, you have no party, no family, no clan and no tribe. Your governance should be inclusive. Finally, you should know when the time to leave power has come.”

Tahira Abdullah, a peace activist and human rights defender, said Mandela was her hero and she was fortunate to have seen him up close when he first visited Pakistan briefly in 1992.

“We are fortunate to have lived in his lifetime and to have witnessed his greatness, his humility, his humanity and compassion, and his sincerity in forgiveness, through truth and reconciliation,” Abdullah said. “His leaving us is truly the passing of an era.”



As a befitting tribute to the world leader, Abdullah dedicated a Mandela quote to Pakistan’s young people.

“Sometimes, it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom,” she said.

The capital’s residents also used Twitter to express their sorrow over the news of Mandela’s death.

Islamabad-based activist Ali Abbas Zaidi, who is currently studying in Sweden, tweeted, “if you are a parent, make sure you tell your kids about Nelson Mandela and make them read, ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ (Mandela’s autobiography).”

The left-wing Awami Workers Party (AWP) called Mandela the “most committed anti-imperialist” leader of the modern era.

In a press statement the AWP leadership said Mandela’s fight needs to be carried on to pose a challenge to imperialism and domination of all kinds.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) also paid tribute to Madiba. In a statement issued on Friday, PFUJ president Afzal Butt termed Mandela’s life an inspiration for all freedom movements. Mandela’s peaceful struggle against apartheid is a lesson against militancy, it said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2013.