Word On The Street: What do you think Nelson Mandela will say?
The Nelson Mandela Foundation announced the upcoming celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day's theme "It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity."
Jessica Ngobeni (Sikhululekile Secondary, Gauteng)1: There is a lack of servant leadership in today's government, especially for young people. The leadership is elevated while people suffer.
We asked young RCL leaders from all nine provinces what they believe Nelson Mandela would say about the Government of National Unity, as part of their reflections on Mandela Day, celebrated annually on July 18.
Kagiso Kgatle (Mabothe Senior Secondary, Mpumalanga): He would say his death was in vain given the country’s deterioration due to corruption.Thysline Olyn (Langberg High, Northern Cape): Mandela would not be happy because the focus of today’s leaders have shifted from the youth and their empowerment.Onako Komsana (Nyanga High, Eastern Cape): Mandela would motivate us by reminding the bloodshed that apartheid brought and remind us that being a leader is not just being in power but it’s a calling.Mubarak Abubakari (Ficksburg High, Free State): Nelson Mandela would tell the politicians to remember that the best leader is a slave to his constituents.Justin Naude (Milnerton High, Western Cape): I believe Mandela would be disheartened by our country’s slow growth and the persistent challenges of unemployment, inadequate housing, crime, education deficits and basic service deficiencies.Raymond Seanago (Weenen Combined, Limpopo): Mandela would have been pleased with today’s government as it reflects some of our country’s core values of unity and diversity.Kevin Kalala (Glenwood High, KwaZulu-Natal): Nelson Mandela would be proud of how far the country has come, especially with the newly formed Government of National Unity.Bontle Matatsa (Gaetsho Secondary, Northwest): The current government is solely focused on taking care of their pockets more than it does for the people of this country.
