SUNDAY December 15, 2013 marked the end of South Africa's first black president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela's final journey on earth as he was finally put to rest at his ancestral home in Qunu, Eastern Cape.
Though I never had a chance of meeting Tata Madiba in person, I will forever cherish my "Mandela Moment" when me and a couple of friends drove past his residence in Houghton, Johannesburg on January 1st this year.
Just merely being in the same space as him felt so philosophical. That's how impactiful Madiba's life was.
Before I say anything, I must mention that I was deeply overwhelmed to see our own 89-year-old KK jog on the podium on his way to deliver a tribute to his fallen comrade.
We say siyabonga to the people of South Africa for recognizing the tireless efforts the great KK played during the day of their struggle .
I feel everything that is there to say about this great son of Africa has been said. But, however clichéd this may sound, Mandela was simply an epitome of ubuntu. Mandela personified the saying, "I am because we are."
Mandela was an icon and no doubt a great leader sent from Heaven up above. He fought against racism and domination of one race at the expense others. He lived according to his ideals, forgiving and building a multiracial society. He rose above human propensity of vengeance.
Quoting the words of Comrade KK in his remarkable speech at Mandela's burial, "Madiba showed us that white, black, yellow or brown, we're all God's children, to come together and work together. Love one another, regardless of colour or religion."
My prayer is that our world leaders, especially those from our of continent, will emulate his exemplary life.
To the fallen global icon I say, you came, you saw and you conquered. May your successors honour your memory with the same values and highest standards of governance
Hamba kahle tata Madida. Yours was a life worth emulating and no doubt the sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement .
Good bye for now Tata Madiba. Your deeds and legacy shall always have space in our minds and hearts forever. May your soul rest in everlasting peace! AMEN!
Sunday 15 December 2013
Friday 13 December 2013
Fake Faith Healers Should Be Prosecuted
THOUGH this is rarely reported, some young and old HIV patients are giving up their medicine after being told by some shady Pentecostal Church pastors to rely on faith in God instead. Unfortunately, many have lost their lives by following this misguided path.
I have personally lost a friend who was ill-advised by their pastor to stop taking their ARVs.
I really feel sorry for these victims. And it’s easy to think they should have known better, but religion and religious leaders can have powerful control over people, especially when they’re desperate. It’s clear these churches are taking advantage of that desperation.
If indeed there is a conflict between divine healing and medicine then why is it that some people, despite the apparent exercise of faith, do not get healed?
I know someone will say they didn't truly believe. Well, if that is the case then some of the prophets wouldn't have performed some of the miracles recorded in The Holy Book.
Take for instance the story of Elisha and the Shunammite Woman. In 2 Kings 4: 16-17 The Bible reads, "And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life." (KJV).
My question is, how was this Shunammite woman able to conceive though she did not believe in what Elisha prophesied to her?
I can also cite the story of Jesus' friend, Lazarous. Lazarous' sisters, Mary and Martha, made no secret of the fact that they did not believe their brother who had been dead for four days could be brought to life by Jesus. It is actually their unbelief that made Christ weep as recorded in John 11:35.
Lazarous was dead and since the dead know nothing as Ecclesiastes 9:5 confirms, his faith did not count in this instance, yet our Lord was able to resurrect him.
When Christ met a widow at Nain on her way to bury her only son, He never asked her whether she believed in Him or in resurrection. For all we know, this woman could have been a non-believer yet Christ had compassion on her and brought her son back to life.
The point I'm trying to make here is that, if faith is a prerequisite or rather precondition for one to receive a miracle or get healed, then Christ would not have healed the demoniac of Gadarene who we read in Luke.8:26-39 was healed without asking before he was capable of expressing his faith.
When Peter cut of the ear of Malchus as recorded in Luke 2:50-51 and John 18:10 , Jesus healed him without any faith present.
Of the 35 miracles recorded in the Gospel accounts the faith of the recipient is exercise in only 10 of the accounts.
It's my view that it's very wrong for faith leaders to actively encourage their congregations to stop taking their medication.
Moreover, if medicine was in conflict with divine healing the Apostle Paul’s medical advice to his disciple Timothy, “use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments,” would not have found its way in The Bible.
I strongly feel there should be legal repercussions for people who advise a course of action that leads to harm.
Anyone who recommends and encourages a harmful course of behaviour for a sick person should be held responsible for the outcome of their actions. Particularly if the person making this sort of recommendation wears a mantel of social authority.
I have personally lost a friend who was ill-advised by their pastor to stop taking their ARVs.
I really feel sorry for these victims. And it’s easy to think they should have known better, but religion and religious leaders can have powerful control over people, especially when they’re desperate. It’s clear these churches are taking advantage of that desperation.
If indeed there is a conflict between divine healing and medicine then why is it that some people, despite the apparent exercise of faith, do not get healed?
I know someone will say they didn't truly believe. Well, if that is the case then some of the prophets wouldn't have performed some of the miracles recorded in The Holy Book.
Take for instance the story of Elisha and the Shunammite Woman. In 2 Kings 4: 16-17 The Bible reads, "And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life." (KJV).
My question is, how was this Shunammite woman able to conceive though she did not believe in what Elisha prophesied to her?
I can also cite the story of Jesus' friend, Lazarous. Lazarous' sisters, Mary and Martha, made no secret of the fact that they did not believe their brother who had been dead for four days could be brought to life by Jesus. It is actually their unbelief that made Christ weep as recorded in John 11:35.
Lazarous was dead and since the dead know nothing as Ecclesiastes 9:5 confirms, his faith did not count in this instance, yet our Lord was able to resurrect him.
When Christ met a widow at Nain on her way to bury her only son, He never asked her whether she believed in Him or in resurrection. For all we know, this woman could have been a non-believer yet Christ had compassion on her and brought her son back to life.
The point I'm trying to make here is that, if faith is a prerequisite or rather precondition for one to receive a miracle or get healed, then Christ would not have healed the demoniac of Gadarene who we read in Luke.8:26-39 was healed without asking before he was capable of expressing his faith.
When Peter cut of the ear of Malchus as recorded in Luke 2:50-51 and John 18:10 , Jesus healed him without any faith present.
Of the 35 miracles recorded in the Gospel accounts the faith of the recipient is exercise in only 10 of the accounts.
It's my view that it's very wrong for faith leaders to actively encourage their congregations to stop taking their medication.
Moreover, if medicine was in conflict with divine healing the Apostle Paul’s medical advice to his disciple Timothy, “use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments,” would not have found its way in The Bible.
I strongly feel there should be legal repercussions for people who advise a course of action that leads to harm.
Anyone who recommends and encourages a harmful course of behaviour for a sick person should be held responsible for the outcome of their actions. Particularly if the person making this sort of recommendation wears a mantel of social authority.
Wednesday 11 December 2013
Nelson Mandela: The Great Unifier
I SPENT much of Tuesday December 10, 2013 glued to the television screen witnessing history been made as I followed the live coverage of Nelson Mandela's memorial service, at FNB Stadium in South Africa.
Whoever witnessed that funeral in Soweto, attended by world leaders from almost 100 countries, royalty and celebrities, will have to die before they can forget. I doubt our generation
will ever witness another Nelson Mandela let alone a funeral of that magnitude.
Madiba was indeed an epitome of humility and selflessness. He was simply a giant whose values and beliefs surpassed the expectations of the entire human race. His magical and peace power has drawn the human race and global leaders together even in death.
His amazing presence captured everyone who came into contact with him. But perhaps the most amazing thing is that, even in death, this great son of Africa remains a uniting factor.
US President Barack Obama celebrated the life of Nelson Mandela with his own gesture of reconciliation at Tuesday's memorial ceremony in Soweto: a historic handshake with Cuban leader Raul Castro.
It was the first such greeting in public involving a president of the United States since the Cuban revolution, although Bill Clinton shook hands in private with Raul's brother Fidel during a closed-door United Nations lunch in 2000.
We can only hope that the unprecedented gesture between the leaders of two nations which have been at loggerheads for more than half a century is the first step to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries.
If only our leaders-especially those from our continent-will not only acknowledge his legacy but emulate him. Africa need leaders like Mandela who had the courage to stand up for the masses against a more powerful and ruthless regime.
And despite witnessing the slaughter of his people during the apartheid era, Mandela emerged from prison preaching the gospel of love, reconciliation and a united country.
His selflessness fashion of leadership should remain embedded in the hearts of those aspiring to serve their respective nations. Africans should stop apportioning blame on western leaders because each and every individual can still push for a positive change. Mandela proved that.
It has been said that living a life without purpose makes death a tragedy but in this case, the life lived by Mandela is a great blessing to Africa and the world in a whole.
Madiba's cross over to the other side remains a colossal loss to the entire continent of Africa and world over.
Indeed there will never be another Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, but his was a life worth imitating. We can still apply the lessons of his struggle for freedom to our lives and those around us. We can continue in his spirit and legacy.
Rest in peace Tata Madiba and may your spirit continue to live in all of us and those who will come after us.
Whoever witnessed that funeral in Soweto, attended by world leaders from almost 100 countries, royalty and celebrities, will have to die before they can forget. I doubt our generation
will ever witness another Nelson Mandela let alone a funeral of that magnitude.
Madiba was indeed an epitome of humility and selflessness. He was simply a giant whose values and beliefs surpassed the expectations of the entire human race. His magical and peace power has drawn the human race and global leaders together even in death.
His amazing presence captured everyone who came into contact with him. But perhaps the most amazing thing is that, even in death, this great son of Africa remains a uniting factor.
US President Barack Obama celebrated the life of Nelson Mandela with his own gesture of reconciliation at Tuesday's memorial ceremony in Soweto: a historic handshake with Cuban leader Raul Castro.
It was the first such greeting in public involving a president of the United States since the Cuban revolution, although Bill Clinton shook hands in private with Raul's brother Fidel during a closed-door United Nations lunch in 2000.
We can only hope that the unprecedented gesture between the leaders of two nations which have been at loggerheads for more than half a century is the first step to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries.
If only our leaders-especially those from our continent-will not only acknowledge his legacy but emulate him. Africa need leaders like Mandela who had the courage to stand up for the masses against a more powerful and ruthless regime.
And despite witnessing the slaughter of his people during the apartheid era, Mandela emerged from prison preaching the gospel of love, reconciliation and a united country.
His selflessness fashion of leadership should remain embedded in the hearts of those aspiring to serve their respective nations. Africans should stop apportioning blame on western leaders because each and every individual can still push for a positive change. Mandela proved that.
It has been said that living a life without purpose makes death a tragedy but in this case, the life lived by Mandela is a great blessing to Africa and the world in a whole.
Madiba's cross over to the other side remains a colossal loss to the entire continent of Africa and world over.
Indeed there will never be another Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, but his was a life worth imitating. We can still apply the lessons of his struggle for freedom to our lives and those around us. We can continue in his spirit and legacy.
Rest in peace Tata Madiba and may your spirit continue to live in all of us and those who will come after us.
Thursday 5 December 2013
A Nation's Healer Is Dead
AT EXACTLY 10 minutes to midnight on Thursday December 5, 2013, a Zambian friend based in South Africa sent me a text via WhatsApp with the news that Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the former South African president whose stubborn defiance survived 27 years in prison and led to the dismantling of the country's racist and brutal apartheid system had succumbed to death.
Though I was already in bed and about to fall asleep, I quickly got up and began to follow the breaking news both on television and the Internet. And almost every news channel, website and blog had the news of Mandela's death.
Thursday night turned out to be one of those rare moments when, with a dramatic pause, the world mourns the death of a brilliant human being. It was one of those moments you never forget where you were when you first heard the news.
One of the giants of the 20th century, Mandela's career was marked not only by his heroic resistance to racism, but also by his poised and soft-spoken demeanor.
Mandela is no doubt among the greatest people in the 20th century to have fought for justice and peace.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his leadership in ending apartheid without violence, and later became a global statesman who inspired millions of people around the world.
The death of Nelson Mandela may be the most significant one to occur in our lifetime. We know that a world without him can only hope to be as good as a world with Mandela in it.
With the death of Mandela, Africa has lost one of its few decent leaders. With the passing of Mandela, the world has lost a leader who advanced the cause of equality and human rights, who overcame a history of oppression in South Africa to expand the reach of freedom worldwide.
Mandela was many things to different people: a boxer, a student, a leader, a husband, a father, a social icon, a man who helped to heal a nation.
Mandela has inspired all of us with his leadership and his humility. Our lives have been immeasurably enriched by his example. We mourn his passing and pause in gratitude; privileged by the mark he has left on our lives.
He touched the world with his integrity, his resolve and his passion for reconciliation. His passion to do good was infectious.
May we continue to be a teacher for generations to come. His legacy will be unforgettable. The world has lost a great part of its morality and conscious with his passing away.
May the life of Nelson Mandela long stand as the ultimate tribute to the triumph of hope. May his story long remind us to always look forward with optimism to the future. May it be a comfort to his family, to his friends and loved ones, to the people of South Africa that so many mourn the loss of this extraordinary man and incredible leader at this sad time.
May we all mourn this loss, and try to live up to his example, how to fight for our beliefs and lead a life of dignity.
Mandela brought a message for all of us. May we continue to learn from his legacy for all of humanity .
I personally count it a blessing to have lived in the same time with this global icon. A true hero like this doesn't come along quite too often.
Mandela is among the few who can claim to have left the world a better place than he found it.
To the Great Madiba we say, Hamba Kahle Tata! You fought a good fight from the beginning to the end. And if ever there was a human that deserved to rest in Heavenly peace, it is you Tata Madiba.
Thank you, Tata Mandela. May your spirit live on in the hope and actions of many who have learned from you. May your servitude, dedication, integrity live forever. May your dreams for a better and all-inclusive South Africa come true for all its people whether black, white, brown or yellow.
Yes, Nelson Madiba Mandela is no longer walking among us, but the Long Walk To Freedom will and must continue.
“Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.” ~ Nelson Mandela 1996
Though I was already in bed and about to fall asleep, I quickly got up and began to follow the breaking news both on television and the Internet. And almost every news channel, website and blog had the news of Mandela's death.
Thursday night turned out to be one of those rare moments when, with a dramatic pause, the world mourns the death of a brilliant human being. It was one of those moments you never forget where you were when you first heard the news.
One of the giants of the 20th century, Mandela's career was marked not only by his heroic resistance to racism, but also by his poised and soft-spoken demeanor.
Mandela is no doubt among the greatest people in the 20th century to have fought for justice and peace.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his leadership in ending apartheid without violence, and later became a global statesman who inspired millions of people around the world.
The death of Nelson Mandela may be the most significant one to occur in our lifetime. We know that a world without him can only hope to be as good as a world with Mandela in it.
With the death of Mandela, Africa has lost one of its few decent leaders. With the passing of Mandela, the world has lost a leader who advanced the cause of equality and human rights, who overcame a history of oppression in South Africa to expand the reach of freedom worldwide.
Mandela was many things to different people: a boxer, a student, a leader, a husband, a father, a social icon, a man who helped to heal a nation.
Mandela has inspired all of us with his leadership and his humility. Our lives have been immeasurably enriched by his example. We mourn his passing and pause in gratitude; privileged by the mark he has left on our lives.
He touched the world with his integrity, his resolve and his passion for reconciliation. His passion to do good was infectious.
May we continue to be a teacher for generations to come. His legacy will be unforgettable. The world has lost a great part of its morality and conscious with his passing away.
May the life of Nelson Mandela long stand as the ultimate tribute to the triumph of hope. May his story long remind us to always look forward with optimism to the future. May it be a comfort to his family, to his friends and loved ones, to the people of South Africa that so many mourn the loss of this extraordinary man and incredible leader at this sad time.
May we all mourn this loss, and try to live up to his example, how to fight for our beliefs and lead a life of dignity.
Mandela brought a message for all of us. May we continue to learn from his legacy for all of humanity .
I personally count it a blessing to have lived in the same time with this global icon. A true hero like this doesn't come along quite too often.
Mandela is among the few who can claim to have left the world a better place than he found it.
To the Great Madiba we say, Hamba Kahle Tata! You fought a good fight from the beginning to the end. And if ever there was a human that deserved to rest in Heavenly peace, it is you Tata Madiba.
Thank you, Tata Mandela. May your spirit live on in the hope and actions of many who have learned from you. May your servitude, dedication, integrity live forever. May your dreams for a better and all-inclusive South Africa come true for all its people whether black, white, brown or yellow.
Yes, Nelson Madiba Mandela is no longer walking among us, but the Long Walk To Freedom will and must continue.
“Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.” ~ Nelson Mandela 1996
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)