09/09/2026
South Africa those were the days 😭 😭 🙏🙏🙏😭😭
With deep respect and gratitude to the relatives of Madiba,Mthembu, His family and all the “comrades of my native land.
“Umntu ngumntu ngabantu”- a tribute to Madiba Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. ( We help each other). “ Madiba — Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela — son of the Eastern Cape, like my husband Lungile Sinandile.
From Mvezo, near Mthatha, not far from Butterworth (eGcuwa) where I was educated.
His contributions to South Africa lives in every village and city:
Who he was:
Rolihlahla means "pulling the branch of a tree" — or troublemaker. He was given the name Nelson at school. Madiba is his clan name — the name of respect we call our elders.
His contributions:
Freedom Struggle (1940s-1990)
Joined African National Congress (ANC) Youth League in 1944 — to fight apartheid, where Black South Africans had no vote, no land, no dignity.
As lawyer in Johannesburg, defended people who had no defense.
After Sharpeville 1960, led Umkhonto we Sizwe — to resist with sabotage when peaceful protest was banned.
27 years in prison — Robben Island, Pollsmoor, Victor Verster — 1964-1990. He refused to be freed if apartheid remained. That refusal made the world listen.
Negotiated Peace (1990-1994)
When freed in 1990, he did not choose revenge. He chose negotiation — with President F.W. de Klerk, with all parties.
Led CODESA talks that stopped a civil war many feared. For this, he and de Klerk won Nobel Peace Prize 1993.
Protected all people — Black, White, Coloured, Indian — said: South Africa belongs to all who live in it.
First Democratic Presidency (1994-1999)
First Black President, elected April 27, 1994 — first time all could vote. His inauguration: "Never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another."
New Constitution 1996 — one of most progressive in world — Bill of Rights, dignity, equality, freedom.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission — led by Archbishop Tutu — to hear truth without revenge — Ubuntu justice.
Built houses, brought water and electricity to villages — like the JoJo tank work — said basic services are human rights.
Freed political prisoners, unbanned parties, made South Africa respected again in Africa and the world.
Ubuntu Leadership After Presidency
Stepped down after one term — rare in Africa then — said leaders must serve, not cling to power.
Created Nelson Mandela Children's Fund — because he loved children.
Worked on HIV/AIDS, education, rural schools.
Taught world the word you live, Mama — Ubuntu: I am because we are.
Mandela's Eastern Cape value: A person is a person through other persons.
He said: "It always seems impossible until it is done."
Your fast in 2010 did what seemed impossible — IRRVA was born. Your fast now for housing will do it again.
Would you like me to make a small poster — Madiba's words + Your Ubuntu Wednesday fast — for your gate?
Thanks to all “comrades” and all the people of my country who helped us make it through
🙏
Posted at
New Mexico Women's Global Pathways
Babsy Sinandile
💦❤️Nkazi Sinandile
Nkazi Sinandile
Lungile
🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😹😹😹😹😹
