Mandela RIP
#18
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: The REAL Utopia.
Posts: 9,910
Re: Mandela RIP
Great is a word used far too often but Mandela was a truly great man and one of the greatest of the 20th century.
We can lean much from the way he preached forgiveness. How many here could forgive someone for locking them away for 27 years in a damp cell?
RIP Nelson, you will be greatly missed.
"We have triumphed in the effort to implant hope in the breasts of the millions of our people. We enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity — a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world."
We can lean much from the way he preached forgiveness. How many here could forgive someone for locking them away for 27 years in a damp cell?
RIP Nelson, you will be greatly missed.
"We have triumphed in the effort to implant hope in the breasts of the millions of our people. We enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity — a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world."
#20
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,374
Re: Mandela RIP
I remember asking my dad who was he ? Rip Mandela and me ole dad xx as far as I am concerned he was practically a Scottish Mandela, some times I forget !
It's a personal thing!! I don't do my dad justice!
It's a personal thing!! I don't do my dad justice!
Last edited by Alfresco; Dec 6th 2013 at 8:43 pm. Reason: Fix quote
#21
Re: Mandela RIP
Perhaps, then, you would like to compare Mandela to Mugabe - just to help you understand the difference.
#22
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: Mandela RIP
He was the right man to breathe in reconcilliatory tones during the South African transition to full democracy, but he could have played a leading role for a bit longer than he did. He failed to speak out against Mugabe and sat quietly by while his successors went from bad to worse. But on balance I'd say he was a good, well-intentioned man. Hopefully he's left South Africa with a lasting legacy.
RIP Nelson
RIP Nelson
#23
Re: Mandela RIP
"We watch with sadness the continuing tragedy in Darfur. Nearer to home we have seen the outbreak of violence against fellow Africans in our own country and the tragic failure of leadership in our neighbouring Zimbabwe."
#24
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: Mandela RIP
Yes he spoke out once but said and did nothing more after that. But admittedly he was a very old man even then.
#25
Re: Mandela RIP
And you hold him personally responsible? And not the apartheid government that set up a system that entrenched inequality, ignorance, deprivation and brutality on a massive scale for decades and decades before Mandela was released?
Perhaps, then, you would like to compare Mandela to Mugabe - just to help you understand the difference.
Perhaps, then, you would like to compare Mandela to Mugabe - just to help you understand the difference.
I'll let you apportion blame for that. You're pretty good at it.
Last edited by TheCreature; Dec 6th 2013 at 7:27 pm.
#26
Re: Mandela RIP
There were a number of posts that were becoming a little hostile, and whilst I don't personally like 'speaking' the way some of the discussion has gone, I accept that feelings run high and people have the right to express that. But the Barbie is not really the place for some of the language used or sentiments expressed so I've moved the more objectionable comments (trying to keep the gist of the conversation) to a new thread in TIO, where more colourful language is more acceptable. If your post is missing it is likely here - http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=817107
#27
Re: Mandela RIP
I can't see how any of these 'missing' posts are hostile IMO. Are we not allowed to debate anymore?
#29
Re: Mandela RIP
You said he had "prevented a bloodbath". I'm just pointing out that the "bloodbath" continues year after year in SA and that attacks on white's have reached the point, that SA made it onto the genocide watch list.
I'll let you apportion blame for that. You're pretty good at it.
I'll let you apportion blame for that. You're pretty good at it.
Well, let's see.
Those who hail him as an example of the best of humanity, a man with a goal of peace and reconciliation, a vast capacity for forgiveness, an example of courage, and express their respect for his life and sadness at his passing include The Dalai Lama, the Queen of England, Prince Charles, Nadine Gordimer, FW de Klerk, Archbishop Tutu, a host of world leaders, sportsmen, artists and masses of just ordinary people including white South Aricans, and a lot, lot more. And then there's you and a handful of other armchair critics on BE who are loud and brave from behind their keyboards.
Now, let me see which list I feel carries more weight.......
#30
Re: Mandela RIP
Well most of us aren't anyway.