Editorial
Nelson Mandela's “Words of Wisdom”
Our politicians need to emulate him
Nelson Mandela's wisdom, glimpses of which were reproduced in the issue of this newspaper yesterday as 'Wise words from Mandela,' ought to be the benchmark politicians in tenuous democracies should set for themselves.
Mandela, in his now famous speech in Dhaka in March 1997, spoke of the people of South Africa and not any particular group or party being victorious in the struggle against apartheid. That was statesmanship at perhaps its best, one which our own politicians in these shaky times would do well to emulate. Both the prime minister and the leader of the opposition will be scaling newer heights of dignity if they begin to consider politics as a sacred trust held on behalf of the people, and not as an instrument to serve their personal or partisan interest.
Our political figures, busily engaged as they are in a weary struggle to destroy each other, must draw the lesson from Mandela that their war of attrition can only destroy the spirit of the nation whose fortunes they wish to preside over. Mandela made it clear that as president of South Africa, he was responsible for everything that happened in his country. Can our prime minister not muster the courage and the conviction to inform us that she takes responsibility for all that has been going on in the country? Cannot the same sense of responsibility be shown by the leader of the opposition?
Not every politician is a Mandela. But every politician owes it to himself or herself to learn from history. If we refuse to learn from Mandela, then three days of mourning in his memory will be in vain.
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