REMEMBERING MADIBA

Today marks a year after the passing of our beloved Madiba.  I still remember the day like it was yesterday.  I was in surfing the internet around 23h00 when I came across a friend’s Facebook post announcing his passing.  At first I thought it was just another false report as there had been many in the past. I then turned on the TV to seek confirmation and there it was, President Zuma was breaking the dreaded news to the nation.  The day had come, our Madiba had departed.

I sat and watched the whole world receive and react to this news until 03h00.  Tears were streaming down my face as I felt a deep sense of loss. 

As a parliamentary official I was soon engaged in activities that would form part of the country’s 10 days of mourning.  A Joint Sitting of Parliament was immediately called for Monday 09 December 2013. As Parliament had just gone on recess and parliamentarians were at their constituencies across the country, the weekend was spent getting all 454 of them back to Cape Town for the Sitting.  

After the Sitting I started to withdraw from the buzz to join the nation in mourning. I still remember how the country came to a standstill during that period. All media content was stalled, it was all about Madiba and I don’t remember hearing a single person complain. People gathered at public places to share their loss and messages of condolences flooded in from across the globe.

I remember the official memorial service at FNB Stadium that attracted at least 80 foreign heads of state, a record in history.  I remember thinking “Wow, who would have thought that this country of mine in this dark continent would someday be so significant?” Truth is, Madiba and many of our struggle heroes did believe that it would be someday.

I cannot forget the rain that poured down endlessly, symbolising a blessing.

Madiba lie in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria where he was inaugurated as the first democratic president. Lying in state was a concept new to me but also welcomed as it afforded many South Africans an opportunity to bid farewell and find closure.  I was one of the thousands of people that viewed his mortal remains before they were taken to his ancestral village of Qunu for the burial.

Although I could have found an easier and quicker way to view his remains, I decided to humble myself and join other fellow compatriots in the endless queues. The day will remain memorable for as long as I live. I got to one of the parks at 06h00 and stood in the longest queue I’ve ever seen and only got to view him 10 hours later. The experience was mind-blowing. The people were representative of the rainbow nation; all ages, races and backgrounds. People kept remarking about how the day replayed the first democratic elections. I found it incredible that Madiba’s parting gathered people the same way it did at the beginning of democracy that he had sacrificed his life for.

After seeing Madiba for the last time, I found a sense of peace within myself and hoped for the same peace for the country.

Sadly as we remember him today, there a several reports of racist attacks and many societal challenges.  However, Rome wasn’t built in one day. Countries which were liberated long before us still struggle with similar issues. So long as we don’t forget the ideals taught by Madiba and commit to personally bringing about change, one day we will overcome.