Nelson Mandela has been having an impact in the world a very long time before he became the icon that he is and will remain for ever. Those of us who were University students in Britain in the early 1970s were militating for the overthrow of the hated regime of apartheid in South Africa and for the liberation of the freedom fighters like Nelson Mandela. It was imperative for us to have a poster in our ‘digs’ about him and the other issues which across the world hooked young people. In those days there were lots of issues which galvanized us and among some of them were the Vietnam war and the boat people, the Berlin Wall, the arms race between the Soviet Union and the USA, the Cold war and the struggle for total decolonisation.

Mandela became a hero and a beacon for equality and justice after his 4½ hour address to the Court at his Rivonia trial. His words inspired the whole world to support his fight for equality and his ideals. His 27 years of imprisonment could have made him a bitter person waiting to hit back when the opportunity arose. But he remained a man wedded to his principles for which he said he was prepared to die. In power he lived by his ideals and made modern South Africa an example for the African continent. His leaving the Presidential office after only one term was his way of telling African leaders that no one is for ever and that the national interest must always prevail. This was a hard lesson so far unlearnt by Africa.

All the superlatives that are being placed at his memory are richly deserved. From a freedom fighter to being branded a terrorist by unjust laws, he became a universally acclaimed leader not only for his country but for all the underprivileged classes around the world. He became instantly recognized all over the world and his death has served to heighten his legacy. Not many leaders are made of that kind of mettle. The uniqueness in his ability to forgive and to ensure that all South Africans, regardless of their political beliefs or colour, are entitled equally to a share of the South African pie will continue to resonate. Unlike other countries where only lip service is paid to such ideals, Mandela lived by them.

Everything has been said about that great gift which he was for humanity. There is, however, a tribute that was accidentally paid to him some years back when a survey of Africa was conducted in the United States of America. Since Americans consider that they need to know nothing about the rest of the world and that it is the rest of the world that needs to know about them, the survey asked these questions:

What is Africa? Answer : A country

What is its capital? Answer : Nigeria

Who is its President? Answer : Nelson Mandela

That is a fitting tribute for someone who could

have made the dream of the United States of Africa come true.