The Legacy of Nelson Mandela

Send us Fan MailOne last thing I forgot to mention, Nelson Mandela set the standards for wise international diplomacy throughout the world in the 21st century."Young people when aroused can topple the towers of oppression."-Nelson Mandela (Madiba)Madiba famously said education is the guide to political liberation. More importantly he represented not only the anti apartheid movement in South Africa but also the tidal wave of 20th century revolution primarily in the global south that eventually teared down the Berlin wall in 1989. Thus he was an icon for the collective global social movement and aspirations of all people yearning for political independence, freedom, and finally social justice and democracy. As a trained lawyer who was on an education  track to be an tribal advisor to a king, Madiba combined Western intellectualism with indigenous south African tribal wisdom to become an ideal for all of Africa and the global south for a new type of political and social truth and reconciliation. Even to this day South Africa is a country plagued with poverty and social inequality. However, Madiba has left an indelible mark on the continent and the globe fostering the most progressive bill of rights of any nation and a legacy of determined progress towards new horizons not just politically but also socially.It is true that his death in 2012 has most likely left a gap in leadership not just in the country but also the globe. It is undoubtable still that Nelson Mandela has inspired a whole new generation of leaders including notably the 44th president of the United States Barack Obama and many others yearning to transform their corners of the world to foster lasting social change, justice, and peace for generations to come. Even in the midst of darkness and adversity, Madiba read the literature of his oppressors so he could better understand their heritage. He took these lessons to heart in manifesting his political agenda, propelling the anti apartheid social movement revolving around his unjust imprisonment, and leaving a legacy in South Africa that will define the Modern era where technological progress is only made legitimate by moral progress. Thus, Madiba was one of those few shining icons in history that truly governed upon a mountain of moral authority.Madiba was one of those few individuals who understood that eliminating white domination is meaningless if black domination also called the petty bourgeoisie is still present. As a result, Madiba made it his mission in life to unite people from all classes, races, and religions so that top down domination can truly transform into bottom up grassroots imagination.