Zuma's heritage gift to humanity: Nelson Mandela Day

Jacob Zuma has called for July 18 to be yet another official public holiday: Nelson Mandela Day.

This happens while the great struggle icon is still alive. He turns 91 this month.

It is significant that the third appointed president, Zuma, made this announcement in his first State of the Nation Address.

Old man Mandela may be very aged but he is nowhere near the end of his life.

When Zuma spoke about him, it was with great admiration, concern and respect for the role he played in the history of this country.

He urged all of us to remember the old man and do what we can to maintain his victories for democracy and promote his legacy for nation-building and reconciliation.

I found myself thinking about Zuma’s move and wondered why he did not just go ahead and declare July 18 an official Nelson Mandela holiday.

Nobody would have a problem with that except those who will ask why the same cannot be done for Robert Sobukwe, Steve Biko, FW de Klerk or Hendrik Verwoerd, for example.

But not all men are equal.

If these political legends are, then Mandela is the FIRST AMONG EQUALS.

Also, I found myself asking why it was not Mandela’s immediate successor, Thabo Mbeki, who thought of this very great idea. Can anyone tell me why Mbeki never thought of creating some hype or aura around Mandela’s legacy?

I guess the attitude towards Mandela is what makes a sharp distinction between Mbeki and Zuma’s style of leadership. At many table conversations now, especially since the publication of Mark Gevisser’s bestseller biography, The Dream Deferred, many people say Mbeki considered Mandela his rival.

I find that unthinkable.

I mean Mandela was more of Govan Mbeki’s peer even if they may not have seen eye to eye on many things. There was no way Thabo, despite his great African renaissance espousal, could begin to be anywhere near Mandela’s league.

But you never know as absolute power makes small men grow big in their own minds.

Nevertheless, the point is more about Mbeki’s style of leadership, which is now said to have been drawn into the hands of the powerful few.

This view has become common and people in the know say this is exactly what made him be “recalled” from high office. Of course, if that was the case, the powerful few would not want anybody to be greater than their … er, hole (sic).

Perhaps this could help explain why Mandela Day could not be declared in the time of the … er, oligarchy, if that is the right word.

So, how has it happened that in his maiden State of the Nation Address Zuma spoke of an unofficial Mandela Day?

The answer that has come forth is that the man from Nkandla is humble and self-effacing.

Those who claim to know him say he identifies with his hero, Mandela, and has so much confidence and respect for the old man that he would give him the presidency again, if he would accept.

There is no doubt that Zuma cherishes Mandela and considers him to be the greatest miracle to have happened in the ANC. In fact, Mandela is African humanity’s gift to history. Akekh’ ofana naye — there is no one like him.

It was the wisest thing for Zuma to do to prepare us for the soon-to-be-official Nelson Mandela Day before the end of his term in 2014. In other words, Zuma is intuitively connected to the spirit of the people of this country, the continent and the whole world to know that no one would have a problem with a Nelson Mandela Day.

It is now up to the government to go through the process to do the right thing and give us this day.

We do need a Mandela Day to help us refocus on the positive qualities that we need to rebuild this great nation: self-sacrifice, truth, reconciliation and nation-building.

Those opposed to this great Zuma initiative need to be warned that the whole world would love and welcome a Nelson Mandela Day.

As for Zuma, he has already found his place in history. Just by raising Mandela’s name, he deserves a place at his feet.