Mandela influenced my life—JB
Malawi President Joyce Banda has said Nobel peace laureate Nelson Mandela’s spirit of forgiveness, courage and passion to put people first greatly influenced her life.
Making her speech as chairperson of Southern African Development Community (Sadc) at Mandela’s burial in Qunu, South Africa, yesterday, the President said Mandela’s courage, determination, love and passion for his people inspired her on a journey to become the first elected female President in Malawi.
“After three years of isolation, humiliation and name-calling, I found myself in a situation where I had to work with those who had desired to prevent me from becoming President of my country. I had to forgive them without effort.
“Tata’s courage, determination, love and passion for his people inspired me on my journey to becoming the first elected woman President in my country. I learned that leadership is about falling in love with the people and the people falling in love with you.
“It is about serving the people with selflessness, with sacrifice and with the need to put the common good ahead of personal interests,” said Banda who drew a chorus of applause from guests that witnessed Mandela’s burial.
Banda gave a litany of how she knew Mandela when he visited Malawi in 1990, after his release from prison, her visit to Robben Island with a team from Malawi and some rare moments where she interacted with him at a conference in 1997 in Kasane, Botswana.
“I was inspired by this great leader who was focused, calm and collected,” she said.
In 2011, President Banda visited Mandela at his home in Johannesburg recalling that she had a moving conversation with South Africa’s first black president.
As Sadc chairperson, Banda said the passing on of Mandela is not only a loss to South Africa, but also to the Sadc Region, and indeed to the world.
“The Sadc region will remember him for his wisdom and statesmanship; his humility and sense of humour; and his servant leadership style.
“Tata Madiba believed that all people are created equal. The way he conducted himself, he saw no boundaries between and among the countries of the region. He championed the freedom of not only South Africans but also all Africans,” she said.
President Joyce Banda let down all decent Malawians for stopping short of apologising for the part that Malawi played in aiding the apartheid govt in South Africa. Malawi never supported Mandela let alone the ANC party in their struggle against the apartheid govt but instead did the opposite.
I would like to blame the person who wrote Banda’s speech becoz whoever that person is, does not know the history of the apartheid struggle. President Joyce Banda’s speech should have started with an apology to the deceased family and the ANC as a party for the part Malawi played in supporting the apartheid govt. Malawi did not only supported the apartheid govt with its activities within South Africa but also supported its foreign policy by delivering arms to the Renamo rebels in Mozambique through the then paramilitary wing called the MYP.
Its interesting that she claims to have forgiven those who tried to prevent her from becoming the president and yet we all know that the same people she claims to have forgiven are answering treason cases in court.
I have some clear understanding and collected information that Kamuzu supported Mandela. On the same note, Kamuzu used his contacts with the apartheid government to speak for the black South Africans. I know the time when he gave such a speech in Johannesburg as he made full use of his contact and dialogue policy. That excludes your knowledge of his support for Renamo.
Daph Walker, please bring out the evidence to support your “clear understanding”, if you have it. Don’t just make wild claims here, behind the screen. Educate me!