top of page

School Assembly Nelson Mandela RIP

A collection of ideas for use at School Assembly:

King David High School Assembly

Monday 9th December 2013

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was born in 1918. As a boy, he lived in a rondavel — a grass hut with a dirt floor. He learned to be a shepherd. He fetched water from the spring. He excelled at stick fighting with the other boys. He sat at the feet of old men who told him stories of the brave African princes who ruled South Africa before the coming of the white man. He grew up to be the first black President of South Africa. He became President of South Africa in 1994, and retired in 1999. He spent 27 years in prison for trying to overthrow the pro-apartheid government.  He was in prison from 1962 to 1990. After he left prison, he worked to achieve human rights and a better future for everyone in South Africa. He became famous for his long fight against bad government and racial prejudice. He became a hero to people all over the world. As South Africa’s President, he was respected for his courage and wisdom in bringing people together to live in peace.

When people spat on him in buses, when shopkeepers turned him away, when whites treated him as if he could not read or write that changed him irrevocably. For deep in his bones was a basic sense of fairness: he simply could not abide injustice. If he, Nelson Mandela, the son of a chief, tall, handsome and educated, could be treated as subhuman, then what about the millions who had nothing like his advantages?  “That is not right,” he would say, that simple phrase  that is not right  underlay everything he did, everything he sacrificed for and everything he accomplished.

On June 4, 1948, the Afrikaaner-controlled National Party began its 46-year rule of apartheid. 20 per cent of the country (the whites) would rule the other 80 per cent (the blacks).  There were voices who spoke up against this system, but mainly people kept quiet. For things to change the black community would need their own leader. Mandela and Oliver Tambo set up South Africa’s first black law firm. Poor people came to them for help.

Mandela led young people in the ANC. Many white people, as well as black people, spoke out against apartheid. Mandela admired Gandhi, who had used peaceful protest in India. Perhaps peaceful protest could get rid of apartheid, without fighting?

But to speak out was dangerous.    In 1962, Nelson Mandela was arrested again. He was accused of sabotage and plotting to overthrow the government. In 1964, aged 46, he was given a life sentence.

 At his treason trial, he stated:

“During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

 Three Values that I want to focus on today:

Compassion

No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than it’s opposite. — Nelson Mandela

There is a story of when Mandela was in prison (for 27 years!) the white guards had to be constantly replaced because Mandela quickly gained their respect and they became ineffective at upholding the regime. Mandela was unwavering in his compassion for human beings — even those perpetuating cruelty. And he was unwavering in his commitment to create a more just society.

Courage

How often have you, have I stood up for what we know to be true and make a clear statement that: “No. I won’t do that. I won’t participate in that because what you’re asking me to do conflicts with my core values.”

Mandela’s life must remind us of the choices that we can make, to hold tight to our core values and to refuse to act in violation of them. In a context that was far more dangerous, Mandela took risks and held tight to his values for years and years.

Commitment

I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended. — Nelson Mandela

Life is tough and it doesn’t get easier with age. There are no short cuts, no tricks, success involves effort and commitment.  In a few weeks people throughout the world will make New Year resolutions. Most will break them before the third week in January! It’s Ok to stumble; it’s even ok to fall. But then you must get back on your feet and continue walking, continue the fight for Justice, for the things that matter to you.

Nelson Mandela was a unique human being, to honour his life, and memory, to focus on courage and commitment means that his life isn’t over. Our Rabbis teach us that Jacob never died. However a quick glance at the final chapter of the Book of Genesis contradicts their claims. He died and was buried!

The Rabbis are telling us that physical death is one part of death, however if we continue the example set by those who are no longer physically with us, they never die. They continue through us.

During the winter holiday, how much compassion ,courage  and commitment are we going to show to the less fortunate, to families to  friends and even to ourselves. Are we going to extend the hand in love towards those who are different, isolated marginalised?  We must commit ourselves to these basic values and continue the walk to freedom for all people.

Comments

Couldn’t Load Comments
It looks like there was a technical problem. Try reconnecting or refreshing the page.
bottom of page