All eyes were on South Africa as many of the world's leaders and millions around the world paid tribute to a great hero, leader and warrior - Nelson Mandela. The world stood still as people across the globe mourned the passing of an advocate for equality, giant for justice, preacher of forgiveness, promoter of peace, epitome of humility, symbol of fortitude, agent of change, example of magnanimity and model for leadership and servitude.
As footage from his funeral flashed across our screens, it was clear for all to see that a global icon that remained a son of the African soil had departed to his eternal rest. Madiba, as he was fondly called by his people, had done his work. He had fought the good fight. He had fulfilled his destiny and has left us with more than enough life lessons.
The voyage of reformist
Born on July 18, 1918 in the small village of Mvezo in the district of Qunu near Umtata, Transkei (now known as Eastern Cape) in South Africa, at an early age his mother took him to live with the Thembu Chief Jogintaba Dalindyebo. There, Mandela would be afforded the opportunity of receiving a decent education having attended boarding school and the prestigious Fort Hare University.
Exhibiting signs of defying the status quo from an early age, Mandela and his brother Justice ran away to the city full with great opportunities to escape the custom of arranged marriage. In spite of his challenges, Mandela's childhood would probably be counted as the easiest years of his life for destiny would knock at his door to bring about freedom for his people at a price that included almost three decades in prison and arguably two failed marriages. To say that he sacrificed much for his beliefs would be an understatement.
A freedom fighter
Mandela chose the path to become a warrior and fighter for his generation and indeed for generations yet unborn. It seems fair to state that his fate was sealed and his destiny decided as his forename was Rolihlahlan - a Xhosa term meaning "troublemaker". Indeed Mandela created the type of trouble needed to bring about social justice, equality and equity for mankind.
His transition from an initial violent activist to peacemaker is one of the most notable chapters of his life - a display of the necessary humility to acknowledge his shortcomings and recognize the need to change course to achieve the desired results which later earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. The 1993 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to Nelson Mandela and Frederik Willem de Klerk "for their work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa".
Apartheid in South Africa constituted a policy of racial segregation which was introduced in 1948 post World War II. There were four classifications in South Africa under this regime: "black", "white", "colored" and "Indian". Arguably, nowhere in the world had such separation, discrimination and oppression been so prevalent in the 20th century. Embodying the belief that a time will come when a generation will rise up and defy the status quo and understanding that the oppressed will only remain victim to oppression for a defined period, Madiba emerged to confront the injustice of apartheid in the country of his birth.
Dreams left unfulfilled
The commentary in the media following the death of Mandela highlighted a number of his accomplishments and what are considered unfulfilled dreams. Chief among the perceived shortcomings of this great son of Africa was his inability to ensure economic equality within South Africa. According to data put together by the South African Institute of Race Relations, white South Africans account for nine percent of the country's population but own 76 percent of that country's stock exchange shares. Statistics also show that average annual incomes for white South Africans remains five times higher than that of a black South African. It is noteworthy to state that Mandela had annoyed many black South Africans by not seeking retribution and financial reparation for blacks during the country's transition to majority rule and true democracy.
Mandela's stance in the days following the end of apartheid in South Africa focused on the diversification of ownership of white-controlled industries through equity empowerment deals. He sought to include all South Africans in the economic prosperity of the country with the institution of Black Economic Empowerment which has yielded modest results for the general black population of South Africans.
The economic empowerment challenge
The subject of economic empowerment for all is not peculiar to South Africa but has become the theme for this generation. Indeed the Tata (meaning father) of South Africa may have given a charge to the next generation when he stated that "sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great, you can be that great generation". This generation and subsequent generations must take up the mantle if economic empowerment for all is to be achieved and South Africa is to live up to its name as the rainbow nation.
Mandela's legacy will be his fight for freedom and democracy. He will also be forever hailed for his humility and self-control in that having tasted power, he elected not to run for a second term and handed over to a new generation. The message in this act is clear; the next generation must channel its energy into bringing about the changes that they seek and improve upon the work started by those who have gone ahead of them. Rather than point fingers, the next generation must hold their existing and future leaders accountable for the attainment of economic freedom and inclusion.
The departure of a legend
There is no doubt that Mandela lived a purpose-driven and fulfilled life which culminated with his demise at the age of 95. However, this monumental loss is painful for the main reason that we seem to be losing elder statesmen and stateswomen leading to a rapid depletion of our stock of true heroes without an equivalent replenishment by a new breed without greed. As we mourn the passing of another global icon, national hero and champion of the masses, the words of the popular song by the Bahamian Rahming Brothers come to mind: Who's going to fill their shoes?
The memorial held for Madiba was no doubt a great display of African and world unity, a prototype of Mandela's rainbow government. There are few individuals who could have gathered the caliber of leaders that were present at Mandela's memorial. The words of U.S. President Barack Obama perhaps explain why so many leaders came together to pay homage to Tata Mandela: "He was the last great liberator of the twentieth century."
In the words of Mandela: "When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and country, he can rest in peace." The question we must ask ourselves is whether we know the duties that we owe our country and what steps are we taking to fulfil those duties. There is no doubt that Mandela has played his part and Elton John's rendition is true in that his candle has burned out long before his legend ever will. Adieu Madiba.

o Arinthia S. Komolafe is an attorney-at-law. Comments on this article can be directed to a.s.komolafe510@gmail.com.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian