I heard the news this evening that Nelson Mandela had died. I prayed that his influence and memory would live on to fulfil the great sacrifice he and so many made in the struggle for justice and equality not only in South Africa but in the world beyond.  

In October 2010 I visited Robben Island to look around at  the prison in which Mandela was incarcerated for eighteen of the the twenty seven years. Here is a picture of the actual cell in which he lived while obj Robben Island.

It was during this experience of imprisonment that  Mandela prepared himself to  pursue a non violent policy  to being about peace and harmony in South Africa. Mandela himself spoke of the influence these  twenty seven years had on his thinking and political  polices. This pile of stones represent the kind of activities Mandela was subjected to while in prison. Breaking stones taught him how to break the chains of his oppressors.

He once said that he had decided to beat his enemies at their own game. He would win power through taking the higher ground. In many ways Mandela shamed the regime. In doing so he was acting out the words of Jesus. Love your enemies and do good to those who despitefully use you.

While I was in South Africa at that time I took this picture of a bench that had been preserved to remind people of the evils of the past. I often think the world has never come to realise the great act of generosity that the oppressed  people of South Africa made towards the white regime. It was  an incredible thing. Too often I have heard people say the transition to ‘one man one vote went through without a great deal of blood shed’.  The truth is there was little white blood shed but during the two years leading up to Mandela becoming President it is thought that around 10,000 people from the oppressed majority lost their lives.

I visited South Africa this year when I was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. There is still much to do. Too many people are still on the breadline. I visited  one of the uranium mines outside Johannesburg. There are still men and women working in what can only be described as unhealthy and dangerous conditions. They are being paid  small  amounts of money and are living in scandalous conditions.  Inequality still exists. The white mining engineers are paid large salaries and live in comparative luxury.  There is also a black South African middle class arising who would appear to be seduced by the potential wealth and prosperity that comes from power. In my next post i'll wrte about my visit to the mine.

South Africa has moved a long way but let us not think all is well. Bubbling under the surface is a rising protest movement looking and seeking better conditions for the majority of South Africans. Almost every week roads are being blockaded in the townships in major cities, tyres are being burnt and the poor are demanding a greater share of the country’s wealth.

While South Africa and the world mourn the loss of a great inspirational leader I continue to pray that the legacy  of Mandela will live on in all our hearts  and that a generation of selfless politicians will arise not only in South Africa but around the world.