Nelson Mandela once said, “One of the most difficult things is not to change society … but to change yourself.”
In this single quote, he summarised exactly why he is one of the greatest leaders in history.
There are at least 67 reasons why we should remember Madiba every day:
1. He wanted to be remembered as a human being, not a saint.
2. Mandela had extraordinary courage. He said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but to triumph over it.”
3. His incredible compassion for his people’s suffering.
4. His recognition of the importance of press freedom.
5. His transcendent forgiveness.
6. The way he fought for freedom. Mandela said, “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.”
7. His wonderful wisdom.
8. His dream to see that every child in this country gets a good education.
9. His wise words touched and inspired people all around the world.
10. He was a man of good conscience.
11. His desire to re-instil in our people a sense of human solidarity, of being in the world for one another and because of and through others.
12. He believed in accountability.
13. Mandela was a modest man who said, “We must always remain modest about our achievements.”
14. He was a man of pure genius.
15. His continuous fight for justice for all.
16. He rose above fear. He reminded us, “The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. I felt fear myself more times than I can remember…”
17. His morality.
18. He conquered hatred.
19. The example he set, made millions of people sit up and take note.
20. He managed to make the whole world fall in love with South Africa.
21. We have the best Constitution in the world, because of Mandela.
22. The way he could inspire people.
23. His long suffering.
24. He was a champion for human dignity.
25. His huge humility.
26. His leadership.
27. Mandela was a man who was true to his convictions until the day he died.
28. He remains a living example to inspire future leaders worldwide.
29. His love for people, especially the downtrodden.
30. The way he brought unity in diversity.
31. His sense of humour.
32. His fight against segregation.
33. His unrelenting pursuit of racial equality.
34. His intelligence.
35. His authority.
36. The effect he had on people. When you met him for the first time you would walk on clouds for at least two weeks.
37. The way people trusted him implicitly.
38. His presence. You could feel his presence when he entered the room.
39. The way he loved children. He was at his happiest when he was surrounded by children, and they adored him.
40. His incredible integrity.
41. The way he could make the best of the worst situation.
42. His sense of fun.
43. His unrelenting joy.
44. His tenacity. “Difficulties break some men but make others,” he said.
45. His consistency.
46. His fight against poverty in South Africa. He emphasised this with these words: “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice.”
47. His spirit of reconciliation.
48. His all-embracing and powerful influence.
49. The fact that Mandela’s history of sacrifice is even more relevant in today’s volatile political scene all over the world.
50. He was prepared to die for his ideals. During his 1964 treason trial he said: “I cherish the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities … It is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
51. Mandela donated one-third of his salary to the disadvantaged children of South Africa through the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
52. He was not only a great humanitarian but also a foremost politician.
53. The ‘Madiba magic’.
54. He rallied a whole nation to bring essential change.
55. He suffered so much but forgave even more.
56. He transformed South Africa and moved the world.
57. He was a profoundly good human being.
58. The legacy he left for the nation he loved, a legacy of peace in South Africa, hope for the future and dignity for all.
59. His funky shirts.
60. His stubbornness that made him persist when most of us would have given up hope.
61. His ideals also live on in the good deeds of ordinary people across the planet – especially on Mandela Day.
62. He singlehandedly put Africa back on the world map.
63. Nelson Mandela went against the flow and stood alone in order to do the right thing, setting an example for all of us.
64. He gave all us all an ideal to live by and a future to believe in.
65. He had a magnificent soul that touched the world.
66. He should be our conscience. Without his unparalleled leadership and ability to inspire a divided people to forgive and reconcile, South Africa would have been a poorer country.
67. Now tell us why you remember Madiba today. Post it in the comments section below.
