THE current civil unrest, political violence, racial tensions and lawlessness in South Africa have no place in this beautiful country, says Graça Machel, humanitarian and widow of former president Nelson Mandela.
“I cannot sit quietly as the land of his birth wages war with itself,” said Machel in a statement on Saturday ahead of the commemoration of Mandela’s legacy on Sunday.
Machel said Madiba’s leadership and indomitable spirit must guide South Africa at this painful moment and a period of darkness.
“We must be courageous enough to interrogate and remedy the underlying causes of our discord,” said Machel.
“I am reminded of Madiba’s indomitable spirit which was a beacon of light for us through that darkness. And I am sure that from up there where he is, he is watching this beloved country of his. And in his resolute determination, which has always guided us in the darkest hours of our history, he reminds us that we can overcome any challenge if we keep focus on what is just, what is right, and the unfinished work of what has to be done to bring us closer to an existence of dignity for us all.”
Machel said the ‘more than 100 of our brothers and sisters who have died will remain a stain on the conscience of those who have purposefully troubled our waters.’
“South Africa as a whole has been impoverished by this past week. Come Monday thousands more of hard-working South Africans will have no job to go to, adding to our already astonishingly high unemployment rate. Businesses that are the backbone of our economy have suffered enormous setbacks,” said Machel.
More than 200 people have died as grievances over the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma have widened into an outpouring of anger over the inequality that remains 27 years after the end of apartheid.
More than 1,200 people have been arrested in the lawlessness that has raged in poor areas of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
Many of the deaths in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces occurred in chaotic stampedes as thousands of people stole food, electric appliances, liquor and clothing from stores, police said.
On Mandela Day itself, citizens are encouraged to spend 67 minutes of their time in service to others in need. These 67 minutes are in appreciation of the 67 years that Mandela spent fighting for justice, equality and human rights for all.
Mandela was not only the first democratically elected South African president, he was a much needed voice that promoted peace, equality and justice all around the world.
The former president used his voice to call on world leaders to end the systemic causes of poverty, and often lent his name to global fundraising initiatives.
- Inside Politics
