From An Wentzel, a South African journalist reflecting on Nelson Mandela the day of his memorial service in Johannesburg.
Tata
Eish, South Africa - the booing of President Jacob Zuma - very unMadiba. Forgiveness and tolerance, were part of Mandela’s teachings… So forgive Zuma, if only for now and tolerate him for a little while longer as the elections are around the corner. Then do that thing Madiba fought so long and hard for, ivotela!
I don’t think there are words I can add to what has already been and will still be said - the outpouring of emotions and the heartfelt loss and sadness. It is like I have lost a favourite and much-loved uncle. I wish I could have been in my city, #MyCapeTown for the memorial event there this evening. My grief is not however lessened, neither is my feeling of being one in sadness with my countrymen and Capetonians.
He was a symbol of hope and a better way. A better way to be a country, a better way to be an individual. A better way to be a human being - thinking about yourself and your fellow man. Work on improving yourself and improving the world for everyone.
As a green journalist, I was there for his presidency. Had the honour of meeting him, talking to him, have him look in my eyes and recognise me as if I were a long-lost niece. You felt that he saw YOU, not just a person, but you, and that you were good enough just as you were. You did not need to act up or pretend to be more. He was happy being there, with you. He would look at me and say: "Hello, there you are," with a big smile, and while I am sure he greeted every young journalist that way - probably sensing their sweaty palms and palpating hearts from across the room - it made you feel like he had been looking forward to seeing you again and had noticed your absence :)
For an angry black young South African woman, that was something. Apartheid made you so small, legislated you into a puny human being, tried to dehumanise you by virtue of your blessing of melanin... then this struggle hero came along and looked at you like you mattered and made it all go away. When I was in my teens, my dad used to say to me: "You’re not white, you’re South African and you’re a woman - you have to be clever enough to get past all of that and then be clever enough to stay ahead". A few years later, Madiba got out of jail and taught me that I have to also do and think and do and then do some more. And while I’m doing I have to learn and learn and then learn some more.
And be clever enough to leave all the bitter behind.
Aluta Continua…