Undoubtedly the best years of Madiba's life, for me were when
he was known as the fugitive, terrorist, public enemy number one and The Black Pimpernel. For many who
stood on the ruthless side of oppression he embodied hope and freedom. He was
fiery, ferocious, sure, and carrying all anticipations of freedom. These were
brutal times of bloody streets, silenced voices, shattered hopes and stolen
livelihoods. Our heroes -sung and unsung- paid the ultimate price and it broke the
many bonds of our society. It is so easy to be poetic about Mandela and forget
the system that created him. It is probably convenient for the seekers of
peace, a luxury for those who stood and watched and shameful for the
perpetrators. But we have seen that at the end the euphoria of freedom lie some
sobering realities. In fact the very definition of freedom is still illusive
for far too many.
___Nolundi Walaza
___Nolundi Walaza
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