SHEDDING TATTOO TEARS

It was a cold night (5th of December 2013), I came home very tired after a very busy day. It must have been about midnight when my phone rang loudly, waking me up from a very deep sleep. It was my good friend -Oghene, so I picked up, barely hearing his voice…he said “ Hey Velli, whats up?, Mandela has passed on!, its on CNN…” I managed to mutter “ thanks bro” in a very drowsy voice as I ended the call. A light wave of some sort went thru my entire body like an electric shock as I realized what I just heard…. I couldn’t believe it at first…I checked my twitter and facebook accounts on my phone and to my greatest shock, tributes to Madiba were already flooding in. I rushed to the sitting room, switched on the telly……and on CNN, there it was….a repeat broadcast of President Jacob Zuma breaking the sad news. It was the most painful experience in my life after the passing on of my own father a few years ago. Everyone around me know how much I adore Nelson Mandela, he was one of my major life mentors.

Even as I type this piece with tears freely rolling down my cheeks, I can only reflect on the remarkable qualities of this wonderful leader….his smile, his South African accent, his voice, such humility, his jokes….and that broad smile. He was a leader worth emulating; he lived a life worth living with simplicity, totally enveloped with love and a lifestyle garnished with peace. A true African and a world leader indeed… the force behind the success story of South Africa today.

I was deeply moved by his commitment to reconciliation, lack of bitterness and genuine forgiveness towards his oppressors. His sense of humour was out of this world. These are virtues for our leaders to imbibe. He was not only a man of vision but also a compassionate man who placed the interest of his people far above his own personal interests.

I am not surprised that the whole world is standing in awe at the passing of this great man. But after all the tributes and accolades, what do we take home with us….as individuals, as leaders, as men and women and as children of God?

How can we call ourselves children of God and yet not learn one or two lessons from the life and times of Madiba? Nelson Mandela is a worthy example for all, irrespective of your religion, your tribe or belief. Imagine what the world would be like if we had two or three more other “Mandelas” in this generation of leaders.

We can do great things if we put others first, if we do unto others as we want them to do unto us or even love our neighbors like ourselves. Genuine love overcomes all obstacles. How can you claim to love an Invisible God when you can’t love your next door neighbor or the man across the street?  I believe this was the gospel Jesus came to preach and the lifestyle he wants us to live as Christians.

A life of loving our enemies and forgiving them of their shortcomings, no matter how deep they may have hurt us. Making a difference in the lives of others irrespective of who they are, who we are, where we find ourselves and what we are passing through.

As we join millions of South Africans and the world at large to mourn the passing on of this great icon, I think it’s also a time for sober reflection, a time to look inwards and seek for ways to make positive impact in the lives of people around us and the environment we live in. We preach better sermons with our lives than with our voice or church swag. Everybody will not end up as pastors on pulpits but we can change the world by practicing what we preach and loving one another.

Legends like Nelson Mandela possibly appear once in a century, so imagine how long we may have to wait to see another revolutionary leader…..Mandela, I know for sure that your legacy will live on for ages to come, my tears for you will neither dry up or cease flowing. I join the whole world to shed tattoo tears….forever in our hearts……Adieu Tata Madiba! Rest in Peace…..Papa Africa…..Good bye Nelson Mandela.

PS

Tattoo Tears: When your friend or someone close to you dies or is killed, you get two tattoo tears to represent your loss and the feelings you had for them. (source: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=TattooTear)

This is the author's view point and humble intentions, hence the choice of the title "shedding tattoo tears". The title should not be misinterpreted or quoted out of context.