We miss you Tata

The 18th of July will never be the same again. The world is marking what would have been the 96th birthday of our late freedom hero, Nelson Mandela. 
 
Nelson Mandela International Day encourages people around the globe to celebrate the life of our late former president by devoting 67 minutes of their day to helping someone else. This is the first time we will be marking the day without the ‘Father of the Nation’.
 
To many, he was a man who helped break down the shackles of apartheid. To others, he was the loving father who brought a nation together with words of forgiveness and loving arms of compassion. 
 
There was also a colourful side to our struggle champion. He introduced us to the now legendary ‘Madiba Jive!’ He was a man who warmed our hearts with his broad smile, hearty laugh and darling eyes that always seemed to twinkle with humour. 
 
I feel so privileged to have been born at a time when I could see the changes he helped bring about in our beautiful South Africa. I actually got to see him take the oath of office when he became the country’s first black president. I got to see him celebrate with the Springboks after they won the World Cup in 1995 at Ellis Park. He stunned the world and united hearts when he entered the stadium wearing the captain’s No 6 jersey. 
 
I also saw him wed the woman who would hold his hand until the end, Graça Machel on his 80th birthday. 

I know that my children will one day learn about Madiba from history books and for that I am grateful. I wish they could’ve seen him alive though like I did. 

Remember when schools across the country came together with one voice to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Mandela a few years ago? That moment at exactly 08h00 gave me goose bumps. I remember reading the news headlines at 07h59 just so that we could also sing for Madiba live on-air. It was a beautiful day. It was the day our country sang for its hero. 
 
The mind of this great man was also the source of many sage quotes, all of which I will pass on to my little ones one day. Here are a few:
 
Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.
 
It always seems impossible until it’s done. 
 
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
 
Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished. 
 
Madiba loved people, especially children. While he was a formidable politician and leader, he was exquisitely child-like in his response to music. Tata taught us how to dance as a nation and how to have fun together. He was never shy when it came to expressing himself. Here is a beautiful video of Mandela dancing to a song performed by The Corrs. He visited Galway in Ireland to accept an honorary degree in 2003. After the ceremony, guests at the event were treated to a performance by The Corrs. Of course, Madiba couldn’t sit still! Watch his stunning dance moves below:

Let us know how you’re spending 67 minutes of Mandela Day today. Leave a comment below.