Re: Mandela Day: We Can Do Great Things

PaulineD09 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:56:33 -0000

Baba Madiba,

It feels surreal to write a note to you, that you could potentially read. What an honour it is for me to get the opportunity to wish you a very Happy 91st Birthday. As a former student of UCT, who was there from the time of your release through to the end of your official presidency, I feel blessed to have witnessed such a miraculous and humble assimilation from your past to your then present. I was proud to have borrowed and shared some of the pride of being in South Africa at that very moment in time. You lit your torch of peace, when you could have unleashed years of pent up anger. You walked hand in hand with the current leadership, demonstrating, leading and guiding your children on the path of peace and unity. It could have definitely gone a different direction, if it wasn't for the humble humanitarian and peace seeker in you. As you lived out your dream, you reunited your rainbow in front of our very eyes. You make me proud, and I claim you as my own, while its true, you touch many, and your star is too bright, shining from a distant height. You were truly chosen as a beacon of light to guide life and bring hope to those who buckled yet still struggled for freedom, under the pressure of oppression. Although man chose to bind you, yours was a brighter destination. What man bound, the higher authority released, and that day your glory shone and was celebrated from neighbour to neighbour, shore to shore, country to continent the whole world over. You are what we should celebrate, not the glamour, the glitz, the access to much, no, but instead the man who gave up much of his life believing in a cause, equality and freedom for all, and who himself was blessed to see his dream come to fruition.

I love you Madiba, writing this note to you, brings tears to my eyes.
Here's Celebrating You and all the amazing trials and tribulations you have suffered for a greater cause, with unprecedented humility and dignity. You have a nation, continent and world of very proud nationals who honour you for your great work and for being a remarkable person. Thank you for being and bringing the change that was needed, for leaving your mark on our planet, for all the good that you have brought and continue to bring to it.

Sincerely and much love to you
Pauline Dornford

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Re: Mandela Day: We Can Do Great Things