I must admit when I first saw that 300 South African firefighters had arrived to help battle the Fort McMurray wildfire I was a bit shocked. I wondered didn't we have enough firefighters in this country to finish the job ourselves? But then I saw them singing and dancing at the airport, and I thought oh never mind. Who could complain about such a fabulous group of young men and women? But I didn't realize what a truly great story it was until I learned this.
Well I see Stephen Harper's trip to the Mandela funeral started off on a high note, with a macabre political version of the Mile High Club. With Harper obviously glad to leave the sordid Senate scandal behind him, and consorting with three former Prime Ministers. Even tweeting this photo of him and his old arch enemy Jean Chretien...
But I did notice that Great Ugly Leader was the only one drinking, and no wonder eh?
When I heard the news that Nelson Mandela had died at first I was sad, like billions of people all over the world. For he was my greatest living hero, and somehow I had hoped that he would live forever. “Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father,” South African President Jacob Zuma said in a sombre speech to the nation just before midnight, broadcast on all major television channels.
“He is now resting. He is now at peace. ... Although we knew this day would come, nothing will diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss.”
Monday was the 93rd birthday of my greatest living hero, Nelson Mandela.
Tributes poured in from all over the world, and South Africans celebrated by singing songs for him, and performing small acts of kindness.
It's a day when people in South Africa try a little kindness — 67 minutes' worth — in honor of the 67 years that Mandela worked for equality in the African nation, from 1942 until his retirement from public life in 2009.
They are all good ideas, but 67 minutes, or even a whole day, seem to me far too puny to honour a giant like Mandela.
I admire him for so many reasons. But it's for helping an angry, sometimes violent, bullied teenager understand that seeking revenge for what others might have done to you is not the way to go, that I am most grateful.
As Sebastien said: "He could have hanged a racist from every tree in South Africa. He had every reason to demand revenge for all the years his enemies stole from him. But he was better than them so he didn't."
So now I try to fight injustice in different, better, more peaceful ways, to help keep his legacy alive.
And try to become a better person.
One way to carry on his legacy is to live by his example. Take a few minutes to examine prejudices you may have. Make a personal resolution to let go of them. Encourage the people in your life do the same.
Speak out against injustice when you see it. Don't accept prejudice. Learn to recognize bullying and harassment.
Today I set out to hand out some chilled bottles of water to the homeless in my neighbourhood, because it was brutally hot. The mission was a complete failure. The homeless weren't there, thank goodness. And I had to drink half the water to keep from passing out myself. Duh.
But it doesn't matter. It's the thought action that counts. Tomorrow is another day.
By all rights, this was Nelson Mandela’s day. The fans said it. The organizers said it. For the man who had discovered the enormous power of sports to transform an apartheid-blighted country, this was the culmination of everything he had fought for in his long life.
But in one of those cruel twists that have often marked South Africa’s history, the 91-year-old hero of the liberation struggle was absent from Soccer City stadium yesterday when South Africa fought to a 1-1 draw with Mexico on the opening day of the first-ever World Cup on African soil.
His absence would have, clearly, broken his heart. Despite his frail health, Mr. Mandela was determined to attend the historic opening match.
What a cruel blow. How unfair. As if he hasn't had enough precious moments stolen from his life.
It would have been beyond awesome to see him there being cheered by the crowd. I'd been looking forward to that moment for weeks.
Because as far as I'm concerned we can't cheer that grand old man enough.
And this amazing soccer party is also a celebration of his journey and his South Africa.
The belief that has started to course through the country in the past month, and the feverish anticipation that has been expertly brought to the boil by organisers, erupted in a joyous outpouring. "The atmosphere, the vibe is incredible. It is going to be a great month. People don't sleep nowadays. All you hear is vuvuzelas."
At a time when most stories out of Africa are ones of war and suffering isn't it great to see so many Africans so happy and proud?
Thokoza means "be happy" in Zulu. Mandela means FREEDOM in all the languages of the world.
Today is the 90th birthday of my greatest living hero Nelson Mandela What can I say about a man who is such a beacon of light in a dark world full of swaggering phonies? A man who sacrificed so much for the cause of freedom, but has never stopped speaking out for the rights of the poor and the vulnerable. And had the Constitution of the New South Africa include a recognition of the rights of gay people. An incredibly strong but gentle man who inspired me to be a better and less violent person...and forgive my bully enemies. A man who is loved by so many all over the world. A man I love so much. Except to say that I hope he isn't too disappointed. Mandela is 90.......But the sweet celebration of a life of leadership, service and generosity is mixed with the sour taste of a legacy being polluted in front of the old man’s tired eyes.
And that after so many years in jail..... I'm happy that at least now he isn't lonely. So I thought it might be neat to checkout Archbishop Desmond Tutu's birthday present to the man South Africans call Madiba ...or Father. To support Mandela's 46664 AIDS foundation. From one great man to another...
Happy Birthday Nelson!!! My hero. I hope you live FOREVER....
