Nelson Mandela

Today is officially Nelson Mandela's birthday. The world has been celebrating his 90th birthday. From what the BBC is now reporting (available at http://news.bbc.co.uk, retrieved July 17, 2008), today the village of his birth will also see a huge celebration as well. There has been more than enough written and spoken about him. As of one the many ordinary faces who has been awe-struck by this man's dignity and forgiveness despite all that he endured, all I can hope for is that we have thousands like him. He is not a Saint. He is a man. Yet, by his actions and moral tone, he has given us reason for hope. It is that enduring hope that I believe will be his lasting legacy. I pray that his successors and especially Jacob Zuma will not endanger that legacy.

Mugabe The Clown

Mugabe spoke during Zimbabwe's Independence Day. He again tried the tired and old argument that everything wrong with Zimbabwe is the fault of the British. What blows me away is when leaders blame others for their problems. He has been in charge for 28 years. He is an old, frightened, little man who just does not want to give up. This stance is simply pathetic. This pathetic stance has made him into a clown. At least, the union dock workers in Durban in South Africa refused to unload a shipment of military gear destined for Zimbabwe. There is always something about the common man that amazes me. Maybe this courageous and bold act by the dock workers in Durban will wake up President Mbeki. Jacob Zuma and The South African Parliament Speaker have at least spoken of the idiocy of it all. I do feel for Africa, though.....