Let’s talk about it though 🤔
“Selling out” usually suggests compromizing the masses for personal financial gain. With Mandela I don’t think this was necessarily the case although I could be mistaken 🤷🏾♂️
However when it comes to his policies—there’s an argument to be made.
In the documentary Winnie was asked if she ever felt betrayed by Nelson and her response was that she only felt betrayed by his policies upon release. This begs the question on what he should’ve done. In hindsight it seems like his peaceful rhetoric has done little to improve the lives of the people he fought for.
You ask yourself how one can be so forgiving to a system that destroyed your people? No one would suggest that things should’ve changed overnight when the ANC won the elections but I believe that was an opportunity to lay some radical groundwork. Today we’re fighting battles that should’ve ended during his presidency. Recent statistics show that black freedom only exists on paper but in reality, we’re still oppressed.
We’re still disproportionately impoverished, townships are growing rapidly and we still find ourselves at the mercy of our economy.
Winnie also foreshadowed the resentment people would have towards the ANC in the post-Apartheid era. We are currently living through the reality she predicted.
But we cannot ignore the fact that Mandela was released as an old man in his 70s. Maybe he didn’t have that fight in him anymore—27 years in prison will do that to you. He should share the blame alongside every other president that followed. They could’ve done more.
So the real question is what would you have done after being released from a 27 year imprisonment when the whole world is watching your next move?
One thing I admire about myself is my unwavering optimism. I truly believe that my life will be beautiful. But I’d also be lying if I didn’t say that my tank is a little low right now. I’m exhausted.
Affirm:
By this time next year, I will be living a more peaceful and prosperous life. The worries that are clouding my thoughts will feel distant and insignificant. I’ll be proud of the way that I fought to make space for my needs and wants. All will happen in my favour 🕯🌻