Darkey Ephraim Africa, the South African Consul General to Nigeria has described the late Nelson Mandela as a gift to the world.
He stated this on Thursday at the July Nigeria-South African Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting which held at Eko Hotel, Lagos.
The breakfast meeting coincided with the 10th International Mandela Day, IMD, a day set aside by the United Nations in 2009 to celebrate Nelson Mandela who spent 27 years in prison in a struggle to enthrone freedom not only for black South Africans but for the entire human race.
The Consul General who spoke on a theme “Mandela, the Epitome of Ethical Leadership in Africa and the world” stated that Mandela became the face of apartheid struggle because he led by example and was transparent in all his dealings.
He therefore, admonished African leaders to imbibe the spirit of Mandela by being truthful in leadership.
“Mandela was transparent and honest. Trust, fairness and justice drove his life and actions,” Darkey said.
He added that the bane of under development in the continent is traceable poor leadership, clinically defined by corruption, dishonestly, injustice and lack of transparency.
The bane, he explained, was a most critical issue Mandela addressed through his struggle. “So much has been said about Mandela. But he can be remembered for building bridges which is key in leadership,” he stated adding that in the face of discouraging factors, African leaders and emerging leaders must be resilient. “Mandela defiled campaign of apartheid in 1952. He and other anti apartheid struggle became resistant agents against apartheid. Their actions were driven by human passion.”
He singled out President Ramaphosa of South Africa who is applying Mandela principle of fairness in democratic governance by giving 50 percent slots to women in his cabinet. He therefore advised other Africa leaders to honour Mandela by applying the values and principle he lived for in governing their respective countries.
On the emerging frosty relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, orchestrated by unaccepted hostilities amongst its citizens in some cities in South Africa, the ambassador cautioned that “We must not destroy the enduring relationship between both countries with hatred. Police are currently investigating whatever may have been causing rift between Nigeria and South African citizens in South African. We have come a long way. Mandela visited Tafawa Balewa in 1962 to foster African co operation. What unites us is much more than what divides us. We are brothers,” he emphasized.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in the village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape, on 18 July 1918.
He was a nonviolence anti-apartheid activist, politician and philanthropist who became South Africa’s first black president from 1994 to 1999. Beginning in 1962, Mandela spent 27 years in prison for political offenses and mission to free the blacks from slavery. He died on December 5, 2013.
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