IF I DIE TODAY. . .

Image Credit: UN

My elbows are balanced on the little white plastic table before me as I stare with vacant eyes at nothing in particular. On this day, I am particularly conscious of my existence and how I have contributed little or nothing to the growth of my immediate society. This consciousness stems from having seen the life of a great man, Nelson Mandela and all he has achieved and the sudden realization that time is gradually slipping out of my hands. I am of those who sit and watch things unfold in the society and complain, never putting myself out there in the fore-front of things and fighting for the good of mankind. Today however, I start to take action. As I stare, my thoughts began to take shape and my inner man began to converse with me…

BLACK, WHITE, MANDELA

Image Credit: the elders

There are only a few people that get the kind of honour Mr. Nelson Mandela is getting today. Having his birthday recognized by the United Nations--over 190 nations--and if you look at his life closely you'd realize he truly deserves it.

Rolihlahla was the tribal name given to Nelson at his birth. His father was a respected chief of Tembu, a black African group in south Africa. He attended the University college at Fort Hare--one of the few colleges that accepted black students at the time--and during his third year, his passion for justice was shown when he stood up against the school authority because they took away all powers from the Students Representative council for no reason. Well, he was later suspended because of his protest! But this was the earliest sign of his equality/anti-apartheid activism that later became his life goal.