Sir, – Nelson Mandela was very impressed with the Irish people who travelled to South Africa and volunteered with the Niall Mellon housing project. He recognised the sacrifice these people made in travelling thousands of miles to help people they didn’t know. At Tuesday’s memorial service, attended by 90 world leaders, President Obama spoke about Mandela’s understanding of the ties that bind the human spirit; “His recognition that we are all bound together in ways that can be invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity; that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us”. These characteristics of empathy and willingness to give have traditionally been strong points in us Irish.
In the World Giving Index 2012 Ireland was named the most charitable country in Europe for the second year running and the second most charitable in the world, after Australia. Nelson Mandela recognised these traits in Irish people; and something that was central to his own philosophy – the vital thread each of us plays in the tapestry of another person’s life. Or, as John Donne wrote, “No man is an island,/ Entire of itself,/ Every man is a piece of the continent,/A part of the main . . .” Nelson Mandela has left many legacies. Surely this must be one of his greatest. – Yours, etc,
THOMAS RODDY,
Lower Salthill,
Galway.
Sir, – I note a letter suggesting renaming the Spire “Nelson Mandela Pillar”. This is a bit of a mouthful. Could we not rename it “Nelson’s Pillar”? – Yours, etc,
DECLAN GRACE,
The Rise,
Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.
Sir, – As a memorial, “Nelson Mandela Street” is a fine and timely proposition! But, wherever it might be located, surely “Nelson Mandela Way” would add an exhortative layer of meaning? – Yours, etc,
OLIVER McGRANE,
Marley Avenue,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – As a South African living in Ireland, I am deeply touched by the world and Ireland’s reaction to the passing of Nelson Mandela. As often remarked, South Africa’s Madiba epitomises freedom, yet I wonder how this reference to freedom is interpreted.
For many, it is most likely closely associated with Mandela’s incarceration under apartheid rule and South Africa’s subsequent transition to democracy.
What is possibly less thought of is the breadth of meaning associated with freedom: freedom of thought, choice and expression in its broadest sense. Nelson Mandela demonstrated an unshakeable belief in every person’s human right to live a life of their choosing, albeit within a moral framework. This belief served as the catalyst for a new South African constitution that would encompass numerous human rights previously impinged upon. Mandela taught us that there is no need to fear “the other” – those who are, live or do differently from ourselves.
Instead he advocated, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”. This is a challenge that is applicable to the world as a whole, and also to Ireland as it strives to reshape its Constitution and stance towards human rights issues, including the debate on legalising same-sex marriage. Nelson Mandela’s teachings have the potential to encourage all people to reconsider how we might live with compassion and “for the other”, rather than allowing fear to guide our decision-making and treatment of others. – Yours, etc,
Dr MARELISE SPIES,
Clanbrassil Street,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – It is with much sadness that we, the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement (IAAM), mourn the death of our icon Nelson Mandela, but it is with much joy that we celebrate his glorious life. Oceans of print will undoubtedly be generated about this great man, arguably the greatest man of the 20th century, so any words of ours may be either superfluous or inadequate.
His incorruptible integrity, his dignified humanity, and his generosity of mind and spirit were always the lodestar by the light of which we strove to run the movement.
We feel immensely privileged to have had the opportunity to contribute in some little measure to Madiba's brave and inspirational struggle for freedom and democracy for all the people of South Africa. He has left a legacy of tolerance, respect for all men, and forgiveness of enemies which aggressive nations and their leaders would do well to emulate. This is the best tribute that the world could pay to the memory of Nelson Mandela. Hamba Kahle, Madiba (Go well, Madiba). – Yours, etc,
TERENCE McCAUGHEY,
GEAROID KILGALLEN,
RAFIQUE MOTTIAR,
(Last president, chairman
and vice-chair, respectively
of the IAAM),
C/o Crosthwaite Park South,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Since Nelson Mandela’s death, we have all heard, seen and read so much more about this great and complex man’s life, his great achievements and even failures, yes, failures of judgement, in his chosen successor Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma since, and how they have tarnished somewhat some of his achievements and legacy.
However, possibly his greatest achievement was to give black Africa hope and offer a sense of justice to come, to that continent. Seamus Heaney's words in his great poem, The Cure at Troy, are very fitting:
“History says, Don’t hope/ on this side of the grave,/ But then, once in a lifetime, /The longed-for tidal wave, /Of justice can rise up/And hope and history rhyme”.
He epitomises the powerful and attractive image captured in those words and hopefully that image of him will endure, despite the slide downwards that has beset South Africa and his ANC party from those lofty ideals since he retired from his presidency in 1999. There has been rampant corruption, infighting for power, tribal and religious prejudices and discrimination, huge unemployment, huge criminality throughout the country and one-party rule. We should worry for the future of this beautiful country. – Yours, etc,
JAMES WYSE,
Glenart Avenue,
Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Sir, – Among the many reasons to salute Nelson Mandela’s memory is his refusal, when visiting Ireland, to join the chorus of Pharisees condemning Republicans.
That refusal clearly still rankles, as witness Bob Geldof’s article in your Nelson Mandela supplement, December 6th.
DONAL KENNEDY,
Palmers Green,
London, England.
Sir, – Nelson Mandela was a great man and he did much for the human race.
But, I am surprised at all the pomp and ceremony that was planned for his funeral. Surprised especially that Mr Mandela hadn’t made plans that this would not happen. The expense involving the security of bringing 70-90 world leaders to South Africa must be obscene.
If I was in his place, I would have left strict instructions that those heads of state would stay at home and put the money instead into a trust fund for the poor of South Africa. Each country could still hold a memorial ceremony where its head of state and interested people could attend. – Yours, etc,
CHRISTINA LANGAN,
Castle Park,
Ashbourne,
Co Meath.
Sir, – Regarding the Dunnes Stores strike, you stated, "The strike lasted two years and nine months and led to Ireland being the first country to ban goods from South Africa in 1987" (Home News, December 9th).
In fact, Jamaica imposed a ban in 1959. The country’s parliament had attempted to do so in 1951 but was stymied by its British colonial constitution. When the constitution was changed the ban was made effective. – Yours, etc,
KEN JONES,
Allerdyce Drive,
Kingston,
Jamaica.
Sir, – He spent a long time in prison but his spirit never descended to the malevolence of his captors. As a young man, he believed armed struggle was the way to solve political problems; as an older man he rejected this path for the hard slog of the speech, non-violent resistance and the ballot box. He rejected imperialism and became a voice for the oppressed far outside his native country. Nelson Mandela? Most definitely, but also our own Michael Davitt, the “greatest Irishman of the 19th century” as one of his biographers called him. Official Ireland has been full of praise in its assessment of Mandela’s contribution to humanity and rightly so; when will it give full recognition to Davitt’s contribution? – Yours, etc,
JIM WALDRON,
Athleague, Co Roscommon.
Sir, – Has anyone asked Dunnes Stores management how they feel about ending up “on the wrong side of history”? – Yours, etc,
CON O’ROURKE
Park Lane,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.