The Perfect Tribute to Mandela is to Live His Legacy

I had been looking for the perfect way for me to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela during these 10 days of national mourning in South Africa and last night, I found it. I celebrated his life at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, the foundation whose mission it is to preserve the legacy of Tata Mandela.

The Centre in Houghton, Johannesburg houses Nelson Mandela's private office and is just steps away from Mr. Mandela's final home, and the place where he passed away last Thursday night. The Centre has mounted a special exhibition with photographs and documents and his office was left intact, exactly as it looked the last day he presided there. It is open to the public indefinitely and I suggest you go and see it.




There were places to offer personal tributes. Tribute books to write in, candles to light, a place to lay flowers.

There was the sense of community I longed for. I went with three members of my expat community. Two Americans, Lauren and Julie, and a German, Doris. We shared our own sense of personal community and we shared it with the greater community of South Africa and the world in an intimate, reverential, joyous and spiritual setting. This was not a memorial to the death of Nelson Mandela. This was a celebration of the life he lived.

The keynote speaker was Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. Nobel Laureate. Statesman. Man of God. The most famous and respected South African alive today. His introduction was amazing! "Some call him 'the Arch'. Some call him 'Des'. Some call him 'the Bish'. Some call him '2 and 2'."

I was prepared for his eloquent speaking, his spiritual aura, his humanity and intelligence. I was not prepared for his wicked sense of humour and self-deprecating manner. He was an absolute hoot. I cannot tell you the amount of times we all belly-laughed with delight with his hysterical anecdotes and insights.

In challenging us to continue the legacy of Nelson Mandela every day, he asked us to wonder, "Where would we be today if Nelson Mandela had died in prison? Where would South Africa be? Where would the world be?" I shudder to think.

There were many celebrities and dignitaries in the audience. Some who were encouraged to give tribute onstage like Madiba's personal lawyer, human rights attorney and close friend George Bizos. And some who were content to merely share in the community. Former Irish President Mary Robinson. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, musician and human rights activist Peter Gabriel!

(Mary Robinson and Peter Gabriel with the German Ambassador to South Africa behind them.)

George Bizos and the Soweto Gospel Choir

There was a fair share of spoken tributes, but the majority of the service was musical. The award winning Soweto Gospel Choir. Legendary South African performers such as Johnny Clegg, PJ Powers and Mama Africa Chaka Chaka. Current artists and future legends like Danny K and Ross Learmonth from Prime Circle.

Mama Africa

I took so much video of the speakers and performances that my camera started to heat up in my hand! I will have to cull them and figure out how to upload some of it to this blog. It is too good not to share.

It was an incredible evening, a perfect tribute, and is now a cherished memory. Doris, who has lived in Johannesburg for three years now, put it best. She said, "It was the most incredible thing that has happened to me since I have been in South Africa." I think many more than Doris share her sentiment.

And I must give a special shout-out to Lauren and her driver, Malcolm. The police presence and security were thick around the Centre and Mandela's home. The streets were cordoned off with limited access and parking. But Malcolm took us right to the front gate, furnished us with umbrellas when it started to sprinkle while we were waiting on line for security to sweep the tent, and whisked us away when the tribute was over! Thank you Lauren and Malcolm!

Today we are invited to watch the Memorial Service on a screen at the Centre. It is being televised all over the world and broadcast on screens in overflow stadiums and public spaces all over Johannesburg. The FNB Stadium can only house 80,000 people and it is being called the largest memorial gathering by international statesmen and leaders ever. Four United States Presidents and 26 Congressmen are in South Africa right now for the service. The crowds will be enormous, the security heavy, the space limited. I think I will take advantage of the Centre's offer and share the experience with my new personal community.


Hamba Kahle Madiba.