Posted on 12/06/2013 2:57:08 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Nelson Mandela stood head and shoulders above every leader of his generation, and practically every leader there has ever been, writes his biographer, John Carlin
Ever since Nelson Mandela became president of South Africa after winning his country's first democratic elections in April 1994, the national anthem has consisted of two songs spliced - not particularly mellifluously - together. One is Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, or God Bless Africa, sung at black protest rallies during the 46 years between the rise and fall of apartheid. The other is the old white anthem Die Stem (The Call), a celebration of the European settlers' conquest of Africa's southern tip.
It was Mandela's idea to juxtapose the two, his purpose being to forge from the rival tunes' discordant notes a powerfully symbolic message of national harmony.
Not everyone in Mandela's party, the African National Congress, was convinced when he first proposed the plan. In fact, the entirety of the ANC's national executive committee initially pushed to scrap Die Stem and replace it with Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika. Mandela won the argument by doing what defined his leadership: reconciling generosity with pragmatism, finding common ground between humanity's higher values and the politician's aspiration to power...
(Excerpt) Read more at abc.net.au ...
Mandela freed the slaves in Africa? Who knew?
Looks like this is the news cycle for the next week. Last night on the Factor, O’Reilly said Mandela was a communist. Why are we celebrating a commie?
At the death of any liberal icon you can count on the idiocy to flow like water
Maybe he will get the “Heath Ledger” treatment and get fawned all over for months
Is it ever flowing. . . . . Without even an ounce of truth. . . .
Hey, why not go whole hog and call him the Second Coming ?
Hell on wheels...
I heard that the flag at the White House was flying at half-staff in honor on Nelson Mandela.
Why lower the US flag for a foreigner?
Is there any regulation on who should be given that honor?
He was a communist. Yet, now he is a super hero of the world for bringing a stinking soccer tournament to the country. Big freaking deal.
Bottom line; S. Africa was once a thriving country. Now it’s a basket case, rapes, and murders of white folks going through the roof
I’ve never considered Don Imus to be a great political commentator, but he had a great observation this morning:
“Nelson Mandela is a leader who Barack Obama should try to emulate. He could start by spending 27 years in prison.”
Yahoo had a graphic of Mandela with the caption “Africa’s Father”. WTF?????
EXACTLY.
SA is one of the most dangerous places on earth. Especially if you are white. That is a fact beyond dispute.
That is his former wife’s legacy, not his.
Nelson Mandela: Africa's Ayers (Makes more since)
The president may order the flag to be flown at half-staff to mark the death of other officials, former officials, or foreign dignitaries. In addition to these occasions, the president may order half-staff display of the flag after other tragic events.
Funny how if you're black, when you die your whole life story gets re-written to fit the narrative, overlooking the criminal activities you took part in and the misdeeds you perpetrated. Just wait, when 0bama's dead, he will be praised as a "Great Leader" {mega barf!]
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
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