JUST A THOUGHT - ON SALUTING THE MEMORY OF MADIBA NELSON MANDELA, AND THE FOLLY OF EXPECTING MIRACLES! PART 1.

I am not sure if this is only something which is specific to me and/or others who do not live inn the lands of the great and famous. 

The countries of birth of the Nelson Mandelas, the Simon Bolivars, the Mao Zedong.  

The Amilcar Cabral, the Agostinho Netos, the Nkrumahs, the Jerry Rawlings, the Thomas Sankaras, the Fidel Castros.  

The George William Gordons, the Nannys and Paul Boggles. The Vladimir Lenins, the Hugo Chavezes.  The Norman Manleys and the Bustamantes and Lumumbas.

And the countless other heroes, demi-gods and personified evil men and women who have blessed their people with their courage and inspiration.  Or cursed them with their inhumane actions. Or both.

Yes, I am not sure if it is only to me, that the memories of such men and women, and the deeds they have done or inspired to be carried out, seem to be forever fading. 

No sooner than they have departed this world.

I am not sure if this is why 'heroes' must seek to immortalise themselves.  Or are immortalised by their disciples, with pictures and relics of themselves. 

And with this and that building and streets being named in their honour. 

Even though, in time, the pictures and statues fade in their splendour and in their significance.  As events overtake them and the visions of the 'heroes' they symbolise, lose their relevance.

It is with such an awareness that I, also, am reminded of the fact that it has now been 100 years since Madiba Nelson Mandela was born, and 4 and half years since his death, on December 5th 2013.

Nelson Mandela is one of only a few human beings in my lifetime, whom I consider to be a hero. 

To be continued!