Statement by GOOD Leader, Patricia de Lille
18 July 2021
We commemorate Mandela Day this year with tears in our eyes. With unprecedented levels of unemployment and poverty. With a former President in prison for defying the courts. And with the embers of a wave of violence, looting and destruction still glowing.
The reason that the United Nations acknowledged former President Nelson Mandela by designating his birthday – 18 July – International Mandela Day is because he is globally revered as an icon of service, justice and human excellence.
His example should lead us now.
Tata Madiba wasn’t a Saint; he had his flaws as all people do. He fought his good fight in the context of the politics of his time, and times have changed. But the examples he set were timeless.
Among his most important lessons was obeyance to the Constitution and the courts, and the fundamental principle that all are equal before the law. When he was dragged to court by former rugby and fertilizer strongman Louis Luyt, he wasn’t happy but he did what he had to do.
Another lesson we’d all do well to heed related to our shared humanity.
If South Africa is to prosper, affording dignity to all its citizens must be the first priority. The daily lived experience of millions of desperate people who feel they’ve nothing further to lose challenges our collective humanity and undermines the nation’s sustainability.
A good place to start would be to fast-track the implementation of a Basic Income Grant. None should be going to bed cold and hungry in this beautiful land.
There are many more good people than bad in our country. Nelson Mandela understood this well. He extended his hand to the richest and poorest, the palest and darkest; he listened and made all feel an equal part.
Those are some of the foundations he laid for us, on which to build a good home.