The world mourns Nelson Mandela, 95

The struggle against apartheid in South Africa changed the way the world saw race relations. At the centre of this struggle was one man – Nelson Mandela. His familiar smile and compassion stood out as a testament to his ability to reconcile decades of hatred and bitterness and transform South Africa into the democracy that it is today.

Mandela died December 5 at the age of 95. South African President Jacob Zuma declared a 10-day mourning period that culminated in a state funeral December 15.

Despite a lifetime of accomplishment and leadership, Mandela was actually a humble man. Since his death, people have shared anecdotes about him as a leader and father to a new nation. Endearingly referred to as Madiba (his clan name) or Tata (Xhosa for father), Mandela always showed kindness and respect to everyone he met. “I am not a saint,” he once said, “unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

World leaders and dignitaries turned out in impressive numbers to celebrate Mandela’s life at the memorial service in Soweto December 10. Tributes poured in from many, including US President Barack Obama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. “To the people of South Africa – people of every race and walk of life – the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us,” Obama said in his speech during the memorial. “His struggle was your struggle. His triumph was your triumph. Your dignity and your hope found expression in his life. And your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy.”

The Canadian delegation at the memorial included current Prime Minister Stephen Harper as well as former prime ministers Jean Chrétien, Brian Mulroney, Kim Campbell and Joe Clark. Opposition Leader Thomas Mulcair was also in attendance despite initially being denied entry into South Africa along with several MPs and the head of the Assembly of First Nations, Shawn Atleo. “(Mandela) changed the conversation, from conflict to reconciliation, from poverty to sharing, from inequality to equality,” Atleo said. “We as well have a truth and reconciliation commission happening right now, just like occurred in South Africa.”

In a statement, the Grand Council of the Crees recalled its solidarity with South Africans during the struggle against apartheid in Canada and at the United Nations.

“We drew strength and inspiration from Mandela and his African National Congress comrades’ astounding defiance, determination, humility, patience, restraint and their ultimate commitment to a moral reconciliation,” said Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come. “The long walk to freedom is still underway in South Africa and also in Australia, the United States, Canada and New Zealand to name a few.”
“We celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela,” added Bill Namagoose, Executive Director of the Grand Council. “He was a beacon of hope in the ongoing global struggle against colonialism, racism, sexism, oppression, dispossession and landlessness.”

Canada’s historic segregation of its Indigenous population bore a striking resemblance to South African apartheid, which was partly based on the Canadian reserve system. Although there is much work to be done in stabilizing South Africa, Canada can learn from the actions taken by Mandela in bringing together the two sides to work for a better future. “So, too, do we need to follow suit, and have structural changes occur in Canada,” Atleo said.

As the world mourns the loss of a great man, Mandela’s legacy will remain as an example of the human struggle against racism and for reconciliation.