Rob Bernshaw
The Slogan Calgary Stampede used on the T-Shirt I am wearing applies to the pursuit and enjoyment of Freedom as well.
To some freedom is a word to be used when it is convenient and to others like former South African President Nelson Mandela freedom is a part of his life and in his soul. He was and still is prepared to die for the freedom that so many of us have taken for granted over the years here in Canada and other countries where we are beneficiaries of freedoms that our forefathers and others have fought to preserve. Some have given the ultimate sacrifice (their lives) in order to protect what some of us seem to view as an unimportant issue in our current lives.
How many of us would be willing to go through what Nelson Mandela has throughout his colorful lifetime in order to obtain that freedom he so cherishes. Freedom where everyone is equal in their ability to live a meaningful and healthy life and in their ability to pursue true freedom living in harmony and with equal opportunities in the process.
Here is a little about a great leader and a equally great human being (Nelson Mandela) taken from his biography:
In October 1963 Nelson Mandela joined nine others on trial for sabotage in what became known as the Rivonia Trial. Facing the death penalty his words to the court at the end of his famous ‘Speech from the Dock’ on 20 April 1964 became immortalized:
“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
On 11 June 1964 Nelson Mandela and seven other accused Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada, Govan Mbeki, Raymond Mhlaba, Denis Goldberg, Elias Motsoaledi and Andrew Mlangeni were convicted and the next day were sentenced to life imprisonment. Denis Goldberg was sent to Pretoria Prison because he was white while the others went to Robben Island.
~source~ www.nelsonmandela.org/content/page/biography
As of this date Nelson Mandela has been at Mediclinic Heart Hospital South Africa for a recurring lung infection since June 8 of this year.
In the twitterverse recently a tweet from Mark Knoller (CBS News White House Correspondent with twitter handle @markknoller) and retweeted by myself :
Mark Knoller @markknoller 18 Jul
At Capitol ceremony, Majority Leader Reid hails Nelson Mandela as the "George Washington" and "Abraham Lincoln" of South Africa.
Related link: www.mediclinic.co.za
For your viewing and listening pleasure here is a recently released song called The People Want Mandela by S.A.M.A.
For your viewing and listening pleasure here is a recently released song called The People Want Mandela by S.A.M.A.
Here is an excerpt from News Radio WGOW 1150 AM website with a little background on the the song and why it was not released earlier:
Called "The People Want Mandela," the song is described as the South African equivalent of "We Are the World." It was recorded by some of South Africa’s top musicians in 1990, following Mandela's release from Victor Verster Prison.
Nic Hofmeyr, who shot and edited the music video, writes in the Mail and Guardian that the song was not released earlier because of political pressure:. "The National Party government was not happy to have a possibly hugely popular Madiba [as Mandela is affectionately known] song on the airwaves," he explains.
Hofmeyr has now released the song and music video on YouTube.
~source: www.wgowam.com
How many of us are willing to step up to the plate in order to achieve similar results?
In the upcoming municipal elections how many of us voters will take a good hard look at the people running for the various positions available from councilors to mayors and have a benchmark of leaders like Mandela to compare the various candidates to?
How many of the candidates vying for these positions of leadership will pattern their lives after the benchmarks set by leaders like Nelson Mandela, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln?
Let us take a step back to ponder on what we truly value in life and whether or not we can become great leaders in the process. The upcoming municipal election gives everyone voters and candidates alike to choose the way of the future for the next four years in the municipal arena here in Alberta.
Choose and act wisely.
As we walk this wondrous world we inhabit, let us all reflect and be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy everyday because of leaders like Nelson Mandela, that sacrifice much for the betterment of others along their journey to the future. Who will be the next leader that will truly lead people forward into a future where all people benefit and are truly free from the entitlement and patronage running rampant in the world of today?
As we walk this wondrous world we inhabit, let us all reflect and be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy everyday because of leaders like Nelson Mandela, that sacrifice much for the betterment of others along their journey to the future. Who will be the next leader that will truly lead people forward into a future where all people benefit and are truly free from the entitlement and patronage running rampant in the world of today?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Comments are moderated before being published. Please be civil.