December 5, 2014 will be the first year anniversary of the death of Africa’s leading statesman Nelson Mandela whose death created an honest leadership vacuum that is yet to be filled in our continent. The story of South Africa will not be adequate without the recognition of the starring role by former President F.W. de Klerk who consented to the release of Nelson Mandela unreservedly in 1990, stunning his tenacious political ally and cabinet members. Oddly, he could have faced up to the international community and satisfied the minority government who were apathetic at the vision of a one-man-one-vote system in South Africa. Improbably – still as head of a prosperous country, he could have decided to make South Africa a pariah state and maintained the status quo at the bidding of a few powerful elite with wealth enough to plunge the nation into civil war if the ante was reversed.He did neither of those and went on years later to relinquish power to the ANC and even accepted to become a deputy president under Nelson Mandela. There are only a handful of statesmen in the world with such remarkable character. Some observers have noted that he did not have a choice because he was under so much pressure. But so were some leaders before him who did not care a hoot about the interest of the country and took her to the precipice. Despite the frills of power, Nelson Mandela (RIP) left the stage nobly without seeking re-election even though the South African constitution allowed for another term of office. Today he is revered all around the world and will be in the golden highway of our hearts forever. It is second nature for man to hold on to power when fortunate to be blessed with it and rare for him to accommodate differing people, views and custom unconditionally. The few who do are always remembered and celebrated. Leaders have their shortfalls but Nelson Mandela was able to overcome any feebleness for humanity’s sake and to affirm that: “As we destroyed apartheid so too can we defeat poverty and discrimination if we are united.”Even when he met threats along the way – he was prepared to go to the gallows tree if need be, to liberate South Africa from the stranglehold of discrimination and unbridled hatred. He fought against segregation, discrimination and advocated a plural society where every man is respected not on the basis of racial bearings but as human beings. Little wonder, therefore, that millions of people were reported to have joined his funeral procession because of the positive influence he had in their lives. Today, statesmen all around the world copy his model and rightly so because he fought against exploitation, frowned at debt peonage, recognized the importance of women in government and openly campaigned against the devastating effect of AIDS. He strove to make life bearable for the poor and believed that development could only be achieved when people believe in projects and it is up to government to spur this belief by constant mobilisation. Mandela spoke out constantly on the need for government officials to fulfill their pledge to the populace and that governments that cannot walk-the-talk and fulfill pledges do not have a business running the affairs of a country. His sacrifice can never be blighted from history and man will forever be grateful to him. He did not exalt himself above the people and country but saw national interest as far-reaching and more important than personal interest. Nigeria happens to be a country where the lives of progenitors are better than the lives of progenies and every day you hear stories of the good yesteryear by forebears. Only credible leaders can liberate citizens of this country from this grotesque reality of underdevelopment and lack that is plateauing skywards. Inequalities in the social order are responsible for the conflict that we as a people are presently confronted with. Nigeria needs leaders like Nelson Mandela who are change agents without partisanship to bring development to the grassroots level. Their efforts will be on the lips of people for many generations as that of de Klerk and Mandela for they both believed something had to change and were inspired by the hopelessness in their countries. We live in enthusiastic, bated-breath as we move closer to the 2015 general elections in the hope that someday we will have many de Klerks and Mandelas in Nigeria. Frederik Willem de Klerk supported the transformation of South African society and he rightly predicted many years ago about Mandela:“When Mandela goes it will be a moment when all South Africans put away their political differences, will take hands, and will together honor maybe the biggest known South African that has ever lived.”
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