I did not know Nelson Mandela nor did I work with him -- but I can safely say the whole world is mourning the loss of one of the world's great leaders. After 27 years in prison, Mandela helped bring an end to apartheid in South Africa, became that nation's first black president and became a leader among global advocates for human rights. One of Tanenbaum's Peacemakers in Action, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, worked with Mandela while serving in South Africa's Parliament. Several months ago, Nozizwe paid tribute to the leader she, and the nation of South Africa, call "Tata Madiba." A peace activist in her own right, Nozizwe's comments in South Africa's Sunday Tribune were aptly called: "Peace the only way to honour Madiba." I'm sure you'll be moved -- as I was -- by her sentiments and her closing thoughts:
We live in a country of enormous potential and our tribute to Tata Madiba should be to make South Africa the country of his dreams by building people's power. Next year we mark 20 years of democracy. As we prepare for the next elections, it is our responsibility to deepen and advance full democratic participation not only at the polls, but, more crucially, through active citizenship between elections. For this to happen and for our country to prosper so that there is justice for all, we need to ensure that we act peacefully and responsibly at all times. That is the only way to honour Mandela.
You can read Nozizwe's piece in its entirety here.