Sixty-seven minutes for Nelson Mandela

By Devon Dick

Today, Nelson Mandela is 95 years old, and worldwide this day is celebrated as Mandela Day. This worldwide event commemorates the life and work of Nelson Mandela. Today, we remember Mandela's achievements in working towards freedom and against apartheid, conflict resolution, democracy, human rights, peace, and reconciliation.

In Jamaica, under the inspired leadership of Her Excellency Mathu Joyini, South African high commissioner to Jamaica, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Culture and the Office of the Children's Advocate, the focus today is on spending 67 minutes of our time on doing good for our children.

But why 67 minutes? Mandela spent 67 years in public life, beginning in 1942 when he first started to campaign for the human rights of every South African and ending in 1999 as president of South Africa.

There was a time when Mandela Day was observed to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, a scourge on the African continent. However, its focus expanded to broader humanitarian work and support of his other charitable organisations.

On November 10, 2009, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring July 18 'Nelson Mandela International Day', and Jamaica joins the world in honouring this giant and most outstanding leader of the 21st century, who is greater after imprisonment and presidency. He is a symbol of hope, peace and reconciliation like no other living human being.

While in prison, Mandela was treated like a non-person. Mandela's prisoner number was 466 and the year was 1964 when he was imprisoned on Robben Island, off Cape Town in South Africa. The Robben Island prisoners were never referred to by their names, but rather by their numbers and year of imprisonment, hence 46664 was Nelson Mandela's number. He spent 27 years in this state but never lost his dignity or humanity, and emerged stronger to become president (1994-99) and led and inspired harmony among oppressors and oppressed, and persons from different racial groupings.

In 1993, Mandela shared the Nobel Peace Prize with former South African President Frederik de Klerk, who was once his adversary.

Sharp mind and a kind heart

In 1991, Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela visited Jamaica, and at the invitation of Weeville Gordon, late Anglican clergyman and custos of Kingston, I was one of the few members of the clergy who had breakfast with them. I was excited at meeting and greeting my hero and heroine. Mandela has done what I could not do - spend 27 years in confinement for fighting against apartheid and come out with a sharp mind and a kind heart.

Winnie was beautiful, charming and said very little. Mandela spoke most of the time. He said that the church played a supporting role in his life while he was imprisoned through visits and practical help. He mentioned that the younger generation of African National Congress members did not have the same appreciation for the work and role of the church.

Sadly, some of the younger generation of Mandelas are squabbling over where to bury the dead, which seems to have at its heart the love of money.

Jamaica played a significant role in the fight against apartheid, when Hugh Shearer, the then prime minister, while in the UN Assembly, called for an embargo against racist South Africa. Recently, Jamaica's contribution was recognised when P.J. Patterson, former prime minister, received the Oliver Tambo award in South Africa.

It is up to us who believe in freedom, peace, equality and justice to continue the struggle and mark this commitment to the work and legacy of Nelson Mandela, by doing good for the vulnerable children of Jamaica for 67 minutes.

Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. He is author of 'The Cross and the Machete', and 'Rebellion to Riot'. Send feedback to columns@ gleanerjm.com.