At the heart of it all

Greetings from South Africa!

There is a saying that Africa is the heart of the world and I must say that after a few days here I can hear the world's heart beating loudly and with great strength.

Today is the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release from prison. It is a day that proved, in the end, if you remain true to who you are and continue in pursuit of justice and freedom, regardless of the circumstances, then there is no prison man can build that will contain you. I feel so blessed and fortunate to be here on a day like this. I remember spending time in high school and again in university writing and campaigning for Mandela's release. I joined the protest at Carleton University demanding my school divest itself from South Africa if apartheid was allowed to continue.

In speaking with some of the locals here it is amazing to discover that people my age had no idea of who Mandela was until after he was released. How much can that turn your world on its axis? One morning you wake up to discover a man you never heard of, is a hero to millions and is going to change your country in fundamental ways. The love and respect with which these people now speak of him is a testament to the adaptability of the human spirit and is a signal that anything is possible.

South Africa - the new South Africa - still has many growing pains. The security briefing we received upon arrival was enough to keep us tethered to our hotel for the first few nights as crime here is rampant and violent (but we have since grown a little braver and have seen a little more - but cautiously). There are no more political barriers that separate the people but there are economic ones. The disparity between the classes and ultimately the races can be jarring at times. The drive from Jo'burg to Pretoria offers a wide range of what the country struggles with.

But all countries struggle and so South Africa joins the rest of us.

Long before Obama turned hope into a campaign slogan, Mandela provided it to over 25 million, from his tiny cell on Robben Island. He has said the poem Invictus was one that sustained him during his time there. "I am the Master of my fate; I am the Captain of my soul."

Let freedom reign.


*****

and for a little bit of levity, here is a photo of me being smooched by an elephant. Being that close to such an amazing creature is a gift...and will be the subject of another blog post.