Mandela - a different view

I believe that Nelson Mandela has been dead for months - there were suspicions of this way back in July in South Africa. (Read here)

"On June 26, 2013, the Guardian Express printed stories relating the death of Nelson Mandela, after learning that the Pretoria hospital where he was being treated turned off his life support system and allowed the great leader to pass on in dignity. Around the same time, other news agencies also reported the icon’s death, only to retract their stories immediately. With the news finally emerging that the South African legend is, allegedly, still on life support and in a “permanent vegetative” state, it is apparent that the Mandela family is colluding with the South African President Zuma to maintain the lie that Madiba is still alive."

So whatever is happening now is part of a grand illusion about Mandela. The image of him being a benevolent icon was "created" by the West.

Before Robben Island, he was a terrorist. He and the ANC had blood on their hands. Living in South Africa was like living in Northern Ireland, never knowing where the next bomb would blow up your friends, relatives, or yourself. Never knowing if the latest murder had been perpetrated by your side or "their" side. It seemed a vicious cycle and solution-less. Black people were  "necklaced"(Winnie Mandela's necklace) regularly  - hundreds of them for "non-cooperation" by their own side. It was a terrible, terrible death which she promoted and her husband tried to distance himself from.

After 18 years on Robben Island, Mandela lived on the mainland. This was the time of his "creation" into the gentle, Elder Statesman that we know, groomed to be the first Black President, a martyr restored, an icon, a leader. As President, he seemed without resentment, without rage at the terrible things done to himself personally, or to his people. He spoke of reconciliation -- a new word in the vocabulary of South Africans, but in fact practising Ubuntu.

Among these awards is the shared 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with F.W. de Klerk, the last president of the apartheid government of South Africa (he too is widely credited as an instrumental force in ending apartheid). - See more at: http://afkinsider.com/1772/10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-nelson-mandela/7/#sthash.1IQLuJpd.dpuf

I believe he and de Klerk  did a magnificent job of making the South African Transition a peaceful one. It was not Mandela alone.  But, as an icon, everyone, black and white could rally round Mandela, the Statesman, and  his image was promoted because it suited big business, money, the financial institutions that actually rule our world and who were the ones doing the negotiations. The media and the West have kept Mandela as an illusion - the lovable Mandela, the Mandela who "freed" his people.

Watch Pilger's Apartheid did not die it's a very outdated, still uncomfortable video that doesn't cover present government corruption. But the nub is money, corruption and greed - the Wests' - is still at work in the Rainbow Nation, keeping the poor, poor, and the rich, rich. Hear Mandela speaking from about 33:40mins to 38:40mins, his naivety and gentleness obvious.

As Mandela's term ended,  and the new guard took over, the greed, avarice and confusion of the Rainbow Nation's government must have distressed Mandela - or did he just accept that that is the way corruption goes, the rewards you get for power? I don't think he ever said one way or the other - well not openly, and under South African press censorship, it would never have been published. And the world needs to hold onto the illusion that South Africa is a success. Instead, on retirement, Mandela gave lovely interviews to sportsmen, visitors and dignitaries, opened sports stadiums and charities, much like the Queen does for us here in the UK. As The Elder Statesman Figurehead Mandela's face was charming whilst animated, yet transformed into deep sadness at private moments. I think those were the real moments. I think the Mandela illusion caused goodness to happen in the hearts of others so they could weave more goodness under his banner. I think the real Mandela was profoundly sad.

I liked the sad Mandela with fire. I am afraid that it was obliterated from view so he could become gracious and inspiring  in our eyes. I liked him when he didn't pull his punches, when he was sad and not good - when he made people uncomfortable!

"If there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United States of America. They don't care for human beings," Mandela

 "If you look at those matters, you will come to the conclusion that the attitude of the United States of America is a threat to world peace." Mandela 

"The UN took a strong stand against apartheid; and over the years, an international consensus was built, which helped to bring an end to this iniquitous system. But we know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians." Mandela

Mandela was the friend of Castro and Gadaffi  - seldom reported in the press.

Mandela was on the CIA "terrorist" list till 2008

Now world leaders are slithering along to his funeral.

I am glad Mandela found love in his old age - real love, from a woman as gracious as himself.  I hope this made his inner places less sad.

And most of all, I am glad he has been freed from his last imprisonment - the cruelest most unnecessary imprisonment of all - by his own avaricious family.

Ubuntu