Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The death of a 95-year-old man who had been critically ill for months is not a great shock. Ninety-five is, by any standards, a ‘good age’ but when that man is Nelson Mandela it is impossible not to regret his passing, even while we celebrate his remarkable life.
Nelson Mandela was a very familiar name when I was growing up. Streets, parks and buildings across Britain were named after a man who was imprisoned thousands of miles away.
Del Boy, the lead character in the classic comedy series, Only Fools and Horses, lived on a South London housing estate in a block of flats called ‘Nelson Mandela House’, and we listened to a band from Coventry, The Special A.K.A., sing Free Nelson Mandela on the radio. He was part of our national psyche long before we knew what an extraordinary man he was.
Much has been written about Mandela in the last few days and many of his wise words have been repeated. The quote that struck me most begins: “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate …”
Teaching our children to hate is a terrible indictment on the human race, but Mandela could still find hope continuing: “If they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
Most of the great leaders that featured in my history lessons led their nations to victory over their enemies in battle.
I hope that equal time will be given to teaching children about the man who educated the whole world when he achieved reconciliation and peace in a deeply-divided society by forgiving the unforgiveable.
That is the greatest victory of all.
