AN OPEN LETTER TO NELSON MANDELA

Dear Madiba,

I hope all is well with you and that this letter reaches you in good health and good company. I am writing this letter to inform you about what happened after you left.

Since you embarked on your journey, the people have divided themselves into two groups: those who say you were bad and those who call you hero.

Tata, those who said you were a liar and a pathetic father are scattered around the internet like bad viruses. From Facebook to Twitter they have called you many names. Some say you will go to hell and some say that after you left, South Africa will not know peace. They analyse your life’s actions.

 Others who think you were a hero have taken to the streets and to the corridors of internet, screaming with tall voices about how well you lived your life. They are joyful! They are happy because you reconstructed the meaning of reconciliation, and most importantly, happy because you fought for the freedom of blacks in South Africa.  These people have compared you to greats like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X and yes, some have compared you to that rapper Tupac Amaru Shakur who sang “Only God Can Judge Me.”

Madiba, did you see the flowers brought to your house to add colour to the celebration of your life? Did you see how people gathered all over the world to sing your praise? Did you see how every newspaper headline is filled with your pictures? Did you notice that every president on earth is talking about you? Did you also notice that the world stopped when you decided to embark on that journey?

Those who have chosen to throw stones at you do this out of ignorance. Madiba, they say that during your twenty-seven years in imprisonment you sold out to the white man and, that you left Winnie when you came out. Some say you did not deserve the Nobel Peace prize. Arguments spring up at the mention of your name. Is that what happens to heroes? People blessed with half brains making nonsensical statements and unpicking the hairs of your rest.  Is that what happens?

How can they understand you when they have never spent that amount of time in jail? They have not asked themselves what they would do if they were in your shoes. Instead, they go around with long mouths spitting on your soul.

There is a place where heroes stay after they leave earth. It is neither heaven nor hell. It is just an unknown place. So, Madiba, I don’t really know why some religious nonentities would start asking whether you gave your life to Christ before you died. Seriously, I don’t know.  You have paid your dues on earth and would be greatly remembered. How many of these senseless critics can forgive another human the way you have done? How many of these self-serving individuals, seeking cheap attention, know the meaning of living like a human being?

Ah, tata, you will not believe when I tell you some people have started making money off your name. They have printed shirts and made pictures of you and started selling. Your name is big business. Some people have made pens, key rings and other things in your name. And they say, hypocritically, that you should rest in peace.

Who are you there with? Have you seen Magaret Thatcher? Is she even there? Is Martin Luther king Jr with you? Did you see Malcom X? Tell me, how is the place? Peaceful? Is Obafemi Awolowo there? How do you guys live there? Please, say hello to Fela Anikulapokuti. Tell Baba Seventy that some people have taken his Afro-beat and turned it to useless ranting.

Yes, I know you’ve taught us how to forgive. Yes, I know you have taught us how to live. Yes, I know you have taught us the meaning of smiling in adversity. Yes, I know you have opened our eyes to see the true meaning of love. Yes, I know that there will never be another man like you. Definitely, there would never be another human who can lay his life down for the good of others.

Thank you for taking time out to read this letter. In that life you have chosen to enter try to rest.

Before I forget, what do you want me to tell those who only see your negative sides? What should I say to those who say you were a womaniser and a bad president? What do I say to those African leaders who hold onto power like they would never die? What do I say to all those writers, critics and mad persons pricking you while you sleep? Tata, teach me what to say.

People like you who changed the cause of earth’s journey have personal flaws like every human.  Dwelling on the flaws is not how I choose to remember you. I would remember you as the freedom fighter who took a long walk to freedom.  Stay blessed and enjoy the peace that earth does not give to humans.

Yours truly,

Michael Irene