Son of a nation, and of a continent

Mandela the warrior farewelled more in joy than sorrow

As President Jacob Zuma of South Africa was announcing to the world late on Dec 5 that Nelson Mandela had died, I had just got home from work. I became aware of the news breaking in Johnannesburg only when I made a routine check of the Internet just as I was about to go to bed. It was going to be a long and sleepless night.

It became clear as I opened my Facebook page and read the tributes pouring in that the death of the former South African president, and perhaps the world's most famous fighter for equal rights, would be felt in every corner of the planet.

Zuma, in his announcement, referred to South Africa's having lost "its greatest son" and a father, but Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, paying tribute later, proclaimed Mandela's role as an African.

"Nelson Mandela served his nation and Africa well. We have lost an icon in the liberation struggle and an illustrious son of our continent."

Perhaps reflecting that message, Tanzania announced three days of national mourning with flags at half-mast.

But Mandela's death was singular in that universally the overriding mood seemed to be one of celebration rather than of sorrow as the remarkable achievements of a life well spent were recalled.

In newspaper, magazine and Internet headlines, words such as colossus, legend and inspiration have been the order of the week.

The sense of loss over Mandela was of course tempered by the fact that he had been frail and ill for a long time. That may have made it easier for sorrow quickly to be replaced by hope as mourners renewed their resolutions to follow the example of the great man.

Tebogo Lefifi, manager of the China Office of Brand South Africa, was one of those.

"Today I reflect on his life and seek my inner Mandela and continue to make each day a Mandela day to serve humanity with small acts of selfless virtue," she said.

"I will never be treated like a second-class citizen because he fought against that, and we will never advocate reverse racism because he abhorred it."

On Dec 10, as more than 90,000 people, including more than 90 world leaders, gathered in FNB Stadium in Johannesburg for the national memorial service for Mandela, heavy rain that had begun the day before continued to pelt down.

Some, perhaps inevitably, talked of tears from heaven for Mandela, even if in the stadium it was multi-colored umbrellas rather than tears that were the most prevalent sight.

Over about four hours, a worldwide audience was treated to a celebration of Mandela that included joyous dancing to swinging, jiving music.

Those celebrating quoted Mandela speeches and words of encouragement to show their dedication to his spirit.

"Let me carry on your flag and continue your fight, till the success comes," one said.

"There is nothing to be sad about," a college student, 23, told me. "His life will live in everyone's heart."

Because of the rain, the ceremony began nearly an hour late. As the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was addressing the crowd, cheers erupted.

Before the service, there had been strong concerns about security, particularly because the event had been organized at very short notice.

At an event like this, with so many state leaders present, you would expect security to be extremely tight, but there were no security checks at the gates when I entered the stadium at 8 am.

The next day, in the country's executive capital, Pretoria, Mandela's body was transferred to the Union Buildings, the official seat of government. There it was to lie in state for three days of public viewing.

The atmosphere there was heavier and more solemn than at the memorial service in Johannesburg.

Rain had given way to sunshine, and an orderly line of those wanting to pay their respects snaked its way for hundreds of meters down the street outside the building and kept on growing by the minute. Mourners were given a black wristband before entering the building.

"I felt heartbroken when I saw him," said a woman, with her young son, from East Cape province.

"I can't imagine how his body could have emanated such a huge and great influence on our people. May he rest in peace."

After lying in state, Mandela's body was to be sent to Qunu, East Cape, his hometown, where he was to be buried on Dec 15.

Even though Mandela had not wielded political power for more than 14 years, some fear the departure of this towering symbol of national unity increases the risk of civil conflict and criminality.

South Africa is host to more than 200,000 Chinese, one of the largest Chinese diasporas in Africa, and some have expressed their concerns about security after Mandela's departure.

"We are worried about an upsurge in crime before Christmas, and fear bad guys will use Mandela's death as an excuse to do terrible things," said Claire Zhang, 25, who works for an international organization in Johannesburg.

But Shen Shaobo, secretary of Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Association in Southern Africa, said national security and government resolve were strong enough to withstand any challenges.

"I came to South Africa in 1990 and have seen the great and peaceful transition of this country since the pre- and post-Mandela eras. His spirit of equality among races has greatly supported the lives of Chinese immigrants in this country."

Mandela's spirit will continue to bolster the government and society generally, he said.

In China, that spirit is still felt by millions of young people who were moved by a song called Glorious Years, by the Hong Kong group Beyond, which came out about 20 years ago.

The song depicted Mandela's struggle against apartheid, and for many of the young Chinese who heard it, Mandela became a symbol of the struggle against inequality and colonialism.

Contact the writer at lilianxing@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 12/13/2013 page7)