An ode to Mandela, Blacks

Jah people, time is the master.

When I sat down to scribble a few musings on Nelson Mandela’s autobiographical film Long Walk to Freedom last week, little did I know that the globally acclaimed anti-Apartheid icon was knocking on heavens door.

It is inspiring to see people of all walks and manner uniting to mourn the 95-year-old legend like no other. In Mandela we had a blessing that does not occur twice in a lifetime. Here was a man who taught the world that there is no better way to free and reform a racist system than unchaining its oppressive hands from their own shackles and prejudices.

Here was a man who graced covers of top publications not on account of skin-deep achievements—looks, nudity, slim frame or pose with Michael Jackson—but the rare virtues his life, humility and struggles espoused: Peace, equality and reconciliation. In his world, there were no cats or dogs, black or white but one people equal under what he termed a rainbow nation—something akin to Israel Vibrations’ garden where flowers bear different colours not to be different, but to be beautiful in their togetherness.

Mandela’s struggle for the Rainbow Nation is the crux of Lucky Dube’s Together As One released at a time the white-minority rule saw nothing wrong with prejudiced generalisations of Black South Africans as criminals while the oppressed majority loved to hate their white compatriots as oppressors. It is with great thanks giving that I am lost for words to eulogise the inimitable soul South Africa gifted us all. No amount of words can perfectly capture the memories, lessons and inspirations Mandela represented everywhere he went. Not even tears. Here was a man who lived his all. He came, saw injustice, fought in a believed struggle and conquered. His legend is well documented. It is up to use the rich vault of insights he has willed to us selflessly. Rest in Peace, Madiba.

Hear, O Blacks!

Two things happened at last weekend that seem to back This and That which the peoples’ band, Black Missionaries, have always heard from yours truly, their ardent fan, long-time lover and crisp critic.

First, the people who attended the blacks show at Club XL admitted that this is not just another band, but a great unity that cannot afford to tumble from the top.

Second, there were fears that complacency creeping in is denigrating the country’s greatest music group into a predictable encounter.

Artists must always strive to give their fanatics interesting surprises.