Kwa heri ya kuonana Mzee Madiba. You fought for our dignity and won the fight. May God Almighty grant you eternal rest. Amen.
Now that he has left us, let me join the family, South Africans, Africans, and the entire humanity to herald this Great Man of our Times. A historical legend. An Activist, freedom fighter, statesman rather than politician, a servant loving all and serving all.
I do this by narrating what happened when I last visited him in his home in Tswane (Pretoria). It was an honor and a privilege, at the time of the world cup finals in South Africa, in August 2010. I had taken some East African youths to watch the final game, under the sponsorship of UN-HABITAT for which I was then Executive Director. My friend Graca had granted the visit. I came into the living room after supermodel Naomi Campbell, who was also visiting. Mzee Mandela had just gotten out of hospital. He was quite weak but managed to sit up in his chair to greet me. As an African woman, as I approached his sofa, I kneeled down to great him politely as per our custom. But alas! I was to be reproached for what I had done. “Stand up” he ordered quite sternly and resolutely. “Never bow down to anybody” he added. “Yes Sir”, I replied, rather taken aback by the sternness in his voice. I was quickly reassured by his invitation to come and join him at his side (see photo) as he changed tone and said very reassuringly and lovingly “This is how people become down trodden, remain guarded, look at everyone in the face, you are human first, woman second. That is why you are now working at a senior position. You deserve it.’. My God, I thought. What a focused and vigilant personality on justice and equality!. Even at home and right out of hospital. I promised myself to keep that lesson in mind.
We had a nice chat for about 15 minutes, talking about African youths and the need to work hard to secure their future. He congratulated me for my success and initiatives at the UN. Mzee Mandela was Good Will Ambassador for UNHABITAT’s Sustainable Cities Program that also covered Dar es salaam as well as Johannesburg. He was instrumental in helping us raise awareness to the challenge of rapid and chaotic urbanization in Africa and the developing world, and of the teaming millions languishing in slums.
It was valuable precious time. I will always cherish it. Thanks Graca for arranging the visit. And now that your second loved husband is gone, may God Almighty grant you and the entire family strength to once again accept what has happened and move on! Find comfort in our faith in the resurrection of the dead and life ever after, in the Name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Your loving sister, Anna Tibaijuka
Writing from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania
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Now that he has left us, let me join the family, South Africans, Africans, and the entire humanity to herald this Great Man of our Times. A historical legend. An Activist, freedom fighter, statesman rather than politician, a servant loving all and serving all.
I do this by narrating what happened when I last visited him in his home in Tswane (Pretoria). It was an honor and a privilege, at the time of the world cup finals in South Africa, in August 2010. I had taken some East African youths to watch the final game, under the sponsorship of UN-HABITAT for which I was then Executive Director. My friend Graca had granted the visit. I came into the living room after supermodel Naomi Campbell, who was also visiting. Mzee Mandela had just gotten out of hospital. He was quite weak but managed to sit up in his chair to greet me. As an African woman, as I approached his sofa, I kneeled down to great him politely as per our custom. But alas! I was to be reproached for what I had done. “Stand up” he ordered quite sternly and resolutely. “Never bow down to anybody” he added. “Yes Sir”, I replied, rather taken aback by the sternness in his voice. I was quickly reassured by his invitation to come and join him at his side (see photo) as he changed tone and said very reassuringly and lovingly “This is how people become down trodden, remain guarded, look at everyone in the face, you are human first, woman second. That is why you are now working at a senior position. You deserve it.’. My God, I thought. What a focused and vigilant personality on justice and equality!. Even at home and right out of hospital. I promised myself to keep that lesson in mind.
We had a nice chat for about 15 minutes, talking about African youths and the need to work hard to secure their future. He congratulated me for my success and initiatives at the UN. Mzee Mandela was Good Will Ambassador for UNHABITAT’s Sustainable Cities Program that also covered Dar es salaam as well as Johannesburg. He was instrumental in helping us raise awareness to the challenge of rapid and chaotic urbanization in Africa and the developing world, and of the teaming millions languishing in slums.
It was valuable precious time. I will always cherish it. Thanks Graca for arranging the visit. And now that your second loved husband is gone, may God Almighty grant you and the entire family strength to once again accept what has happened and move on! Find comfort in our faith in the resurrection of the dead and life ever after, in the Name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Your loving sister, Anna Tibaijuka
Writing from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania