Nelson Mandela, Prisoner #46664, Dies an Exalted and Free Man at Age 95

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, 1918–2013. A life almost unimaginably well-lived.

Nelson Mandela died this evening, South African time.  So much can be said about him that, at this moment, we will just refer you to the words of some of those who knew him best, whose words may be found through the links below.

New York Times

BBC News Africa

CBC News

CNN

NBC

ABC

BET

Telegraph

Some quotes:

Former US President Jimmy Carter: ‘Rosalynn and I are deeply saddened by the death of Nelson Mandela. The people of South Africa and human rights advocates around the world have lost a great leader’

Former US President Bill Clinton: ‘I will never forget my friend Madiba’

President Obama: ‘Let us pause and give thanks that Nelson Mandela lived’

African National Congress: South Africa has lost ‘a colossus, an epitome of humility, equality, justice, peace and the hope of millions’

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is ‘profoundly saddened’ by Nelson Mandela’s death; he ‘showed what is possible for our world and within each one of us’

Muhammad Ali on Nelson Mandela’s death: ‘His was a spirit born free, destined to soar above the rainbows. Today his spirit is soaring through the heavens. He is now forever free’

Meanwhile, what we can do here as well as anywhere is simply to listen to some of the many songs of praise for the man who was both the George Washington and Martin Luther King Jr. of the reconstituted Republic of South Africa.

The best song tribute to Nelson Mandela, in my opinion, is 1987’s “Bring Back Nelson Mandela,” by South African superstar Hugh Masekela. (Yes, the lyrics contain a reference to his reuniting with his wife Winnie — which, of course, didn’t work out. Spending 27 years in prison can be hard on a relationship.) Given that its topic is someone who was then nearing 25 years in prison, the infectiousness of the music is amazing — yet somehow appropriate.

In 1984, Special AKA released the celebratory anthem (for a man who would spend six more years in prison), “Free Nelson Mandela.”

And here’s the Amy Winehouse version (not as good — but Amy Winhouse!) for those who’d prefer that.

Hadn’t heard this one, but it contains a very nice montage.

Here’s one that’s not in English. Challenge yourself! (It has subtitles.) Some nice shots and text regarding the history of the ANC’s struggle against apartheid.

I’ll end on a more somber tone, a reminder that Mandela’s life could have easily been ended far sooner — and ingloriously. I imagine that Mandela would like no greater tribute than for us to remember his fallen comrades in the struggle, such as one of his top lieutenants in the ANC, Steven Biko.

For those who want a more chilling, Dylanesque, retelling of this story of the amazing details of Steven Biko’s death after a beating and denial of medical care, there’s this by Tom Paxton. The lyrics are self-explanatory and they’re worth listening to until you understand them. A key line about the apartheid regime’s reaction as Biko’s life ebbed post-beating: “Though a hospital was nearby it was no part of a prison, so they took him to Pretoria, seven-hundred-fifty miles.”

And that should remind us of what dangers Mandela faced, and what made him great, and what made his long and triumphant life so amazing. So mourn … but also celebrate. Thirty years ago, this glorious end, coming after years of his leading his nation, was unimaginable. And yet here we are.


About Greg Diamond

Somewhat verbose attorney, semi-disabled and semi-retired, residing in northwest Brea. Occasionally ran for office against jerks who otherwise would have gonr unopposed. Got 45% of the vote against Bob Huff for State Senate in 2012; Josh Newman then won the seat in 2016. In 2014 became the first attorney to challenge OCDA Tony Rackauckas since 2002; Todd Spitzer then won that seat in 2018. Every time he's run against some rotten incumbent, the *next* person to challenge them wins! He's OK with that. Corrupt party hacks hate him. He's OK with that too. He does advise some local campaigns informally and (so far) without compensation. (If that last bit changes, he will declare the interest.) His daughter is a professional campaign treasurer. He doesn't usually know whom she and her firm represent. Whether they do so never influences his endorsements or coverage. (He does have his own strong opinions.) But when he does check campaign finance forms, he is often happily surprised to learn that good candidates he respects often DO hire her firm. (Maybe bad ones are scared off by his relationship with her, but they needn't be.)