World Vision reflects on Nelson Mandela legacy
“There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
– Nelson Mandela
JOHANNESBURG, 5 December 2013 -- World Vision joins with others around the globe to express sympathies to the family of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and pay tribute to a modern legend of peacebuilding and human endeavor.
“Nelson Mandela has been, and will remain, an inspiration for many of us around the world involved in humanitarian work,” says Kevin Jenkins, World Vision International President.
Lindokuhle Ngobe, World Vision South Africa’s Business Development Advisor had a chance to interact with Madiba (as Mandela is also referred to) at a personal level and through the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The words he said made people refrain from violence.
“When I first met him at our homestead in KwaZulu Natal (KZN), in 1992, I did not know who he was. However, many in the village knew who he was and they descended on our homestead, where he was visiting my uncles and father,” said Lindokuhle. The next time Lindokuhle met Mandela, the anti-Apartheid icon was on a peacemaking mission.
“When I conversed with him when he visited our village again, during the political killings in KZN, that is when I got to understand that the words he said made people refrain from the political violence and fight each other in the political space. That is when things changed (less political violence.) After his visit, things became calm and those of us who had gone to live in Swaziland returned as it was now safe to stay in the village,” added Lindokuhle.
He emphasized the importance of education, social cohesion and political tolerance.
“I remember that most of his speeches at that time were about how the community viewed itself, urging the people to stand for each other. He was particularly worried about the future of the children who were not going to school, which would cripple the country in the long term. He emphasized the importance of education, social cohesion and political tolerance.”
Lindokuhle has worked with the Nelson Mandela Foundation in projects they collaborate on with World Vision. The two organisations share objectives to improve the wellbeing of children.
Lindokuhle said Mandela’s love for uplifting children was evident when he launched a scholarship for the best five students from each school, to enable them to go to university.
“When I got the scholarship, I remember Mandela said to us: ‘The only thing that I can give you is a ticket to venture into this academic institution and through that, your life and that of your family will change’,” said Lindokuhle.
For more on Kevin Jenkins' statement on Mandela's death, click here.