In social commentary. CASTRIES, St Lucia (Dec 6, 2013) – More than any other political figure in modern history, Nelson Mandela has been a towering source of inspiration for many around the world. In life, he was gracious and forgiving. He understood well that the art of nation building could never be attainable in South Africa if the policy of his ANC government was to exclude input from persons of differing political persuasion.
It was his progressive mind-set, and his willingness to resist the temptation to embrace a narrow and selfish attitude to governance, that enabled Nelson Mandela to unite millions of South Africans, of all colours, behind his government in 1994.
Sadly, it’s a lesson that a great number of our leaders in Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean have yet to learn.
Therefore, given the symbolism of national unity that Mandela represented in life, this may be an opportune moment for our leaders in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean to honour his legacy by embracing the principles for which he stood.
The Lucian People’s Movement (LPM) joins the people of South Africa, and indeed the world, in honouring the enormous contribution that Nelson Mandela made towards protecting the freedom and rights of all people.
