During our CNBC Africa Power Lunch programme this week, market commentator Brigid Taylor suggested South Africans could learn from the death of Nelson Mandela. In future, she said, we should weigh up decisions with “What Would Madiba Do?”
The sceptic in me reacted instantly. Yes, it would be nice. But it all seemed too caught up in the moment. A bit like that phase in High School when kids wore wristbands with WWJD. Jesus probably did get asked a few times, but colourful reminders or not, everyone soon reverted to type.
Dare we hope this time it’s different? That Madiba’s passing will spark a re-assessment of where we’re going and how we’re allowing ourselves to be led?
There is suddenly reason to be hopeful.
The Gupta family illustrates so much that is ailing South Africa right now. Long before they overplayed their political connections by appropriating an Airforce base, rational observers have been concerned at the obvious influence this family has over some very senior public servants.
Their most blatant abuse was a hijack, supported by the Department of Mineral Resources, of 21.4% of the mineral rights in Kumba’s massive Sishen iron ore mine. It beggars belief that a State organ could condone such insanity; much less support its award in subsequent court actions.
Thursday, December 12th may be remembered as the day the tide turned. The Constitutional Court ruled the DMR’s decision to give the rights to the Guptas was illegitimate. That Kumba was the only possible recipient.
It is a stunning victory for the independence of the judiciary. And, hopefully, a body blow to crony capitalism.
As a journalist, I’ve been privileged to travel a lot. One memorable reporting trip was to the US in 1993 following Mandela and FW de Klerk as they lobbied for the ending of sanctions.
Witnessing the way packed crowds reacted to South Africa’s icon changed my perspective of him forever. It showed Mandela belonged not just to us, but the world.
Having not been exposed in the same way, I’m betting many South Africans were overwhelmed at how an unprecedented 91 Heads of State cleared their diaries to be at Tuesday’s Memorial service.
And how they would have been blown away to hear the Leader of the Free World speak so eloquently about our fellow citizen. The man Obama calls his role model, his hero. We knew Madiba was special. But for many, this was beyond belief.
Sometimes death can be the most powerful catalyst of all. Perhaps Madiba’s will play that role for this wonderful nation. At some point, our collective Drift has to hit rock bottom. We are, after all, his countrymen. We deserve better.
Maybe Brigid is right. Maybe we will now start to judge our leaders and their actions by asking What Would Madiba Do? – AH
