Not only among my people but like them

Over the last few weeks, world attention has been focussed on the hospital in Pretoria where Nelson Mandela’s life has hung in the balance. Here is a man, said President Obama, ‘whose legacy will linger on throughout the ages.’

Nelson Mandela is the South African campaigner against the policy of apartheid who after being held as a political prisoner for 27 years led, as leader of the African National Congress (ANC) negotiations with the whites-only National Party government which delivered a multi-racial, democratic South Africa of which he became President. His life has been distinguished by grace, wisdom, and a Christ-like spirit of unselfishness and forgiveness.

Many others worked for freedom and peaceful transition to democracy, notably F. W. de Klerk who deserves praise for his courage in dismantling apartheid and entering into negotiations and who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with Mandela in 1993. But Mandela was the key figure, the visionary leader who more than any other individual deserves credit for achieving the relatively-peaceful transition to democracy.

The Christian faith has been inspirational to Mandela since boyhood. His defining vision is rooted in a Christian understanding; ‘We affirm it and we shall proclaim it from the mountaintops that all people be they black and white, be they rich or poor, be they wise or fools are created in the image of the Creator and are his children.’

Nelson Mandela’s autobiography Long walk to freedom is inspirational. In pages in which he is honesty about his own flaws, we read of his superb leadership skills, his readiness to see goodness and humanity in the hearts of his opponents, his insatiable eagerness to learn new things, the discernment he brought to resolving intractable disagreements within the ANC and with other opposition groups, his willingness to embrace personal sacrifice in fighting for the cause.

We see both the breadth and depth of his vision of freedom. Its breadth in the recognition that the white community needed a form of liberation quite as much as the black and coloured peoples, and its depth in his grasp that true freedom is a self-giving freedom which entrusts others with space to be free. We grasp the bigness of Mandela’s heart.

His story challenges us. What does ‘freedom’ look like for us, for people in our nation. ‘There is no such thing as part freedom’ says Mandela. Am I wholly free? Are there people in our society who seek my help to achieve a just freedom? Nelson Mandela spoke (rightly) of the ‘sin of apartheid’, the sin of categorising people and treating each category differently. Is something of the spirit of apartheid alive in our communities. If so what should I be doing about it?

I was moved by many things in Long walk. One of these was Mandela’s description of how in prison he was able to keep himself mentally, physically and spiritually alive. He discovered the strength of togetherness with fellow political prisoners. He recognised that strong convictions help overcome deprivation – ‘your spirit can be full even when your stomach is empty.’

He registered that singing can make cold bathwater seem ‘less icy.’ He maintained self-respect by looking after his clothes and his body and his cell. The beauty of leaves and birds and sunlight in the cell courtyard gave him hope. In one high-security prison all that could be seen above the high walls was a square of blue sky and part of a mountain range. He said ‘I sometimes though of this bit of mountain as the tip of the iceberg of the rest of the world.’

There’s no doubt that Mandela’s optimistic spirit sustained him during the rigours of the long walk. For those of us who are more pessimistic, it would not be so easy. We try to sing, but the water still seems cold. The sky is overcast. Hope fades.

When one significant obstacle to the first multi-racial elections was overcome, another famous South African campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu said jubilantly ‘We are not going to cease giving thanks to God that we have a God of surprises, a God who performs miracles all the time.’

Christians believe God was active in the journey towards peaceful transition in South Africa. Because we believe the same God is perpetually active even the most pessimistic of us can have hope.

For we read even the smallest piece of evidence of God’s activity as the tip of the iceberg of what is, and what will be. God is with us, as we seek freedom, wisdom, goodness for ourselves, for others, for businesses and organisations, for our nation. It is because of God’s presence that in dark times we retain the confidence inherent in Nelson Mandela’s words: ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.’

(Christian Viewpoint column from the Highland News dated 4th July 2013)