Remembering Mandela

Azania sees the Mandela’s settlement as a fraud perpetrated on the black population, who has yet to regain their stolen land. For those who share Azania’s resentment, Mandela’s policy of reconciliation had reinforced white supremacy.

In their eyes, the deal Mandela struck did lead to a shift in political power, but economically little change has been made. The prosperity of post-apartheid South Africa was indeed skewed, but in the eyes of Zakes Mda of the Guardian this was because real reform was sidelined by Mandela’s focus on symbols and atmospherics.

In the end, the fact remains that Mandela made the best of the challenges he faced. South Africa enjoys a rule of law and human rights and relative economic stability. His flaws and bad decisions tell us how you don’t need to be a saint to be a hero. As South Africa moves into a new era, it needs to remember the man behind the hero. And the challenges he left behind.

Ken Cates has double majored in international relations and political science at the University of Toronto, while currently pursuing a certificate in freelance writing at the schools continuing studies program. Inspired by writers such as Christopher Hitchens and Chris Hedges, Ken writes about religion, politics, ethics, society, and on the little bits of irony surrounding our daily lives.

Banner image courtesy of Ted Eytan
Feature image courtesy of crystalndavis