The Foot Print of Mandela!

Many years ago in the Transkei, in the small village of Mvezo in Qunu, something strange happened, that shook the whole village.

A woman named Nosekeni woke early in the morning to find a giant footprint in her yard. She was shocked to see it, because it was so big that it made a large hole. She screamed in fear, calling to her husband, Mphakanyiswa, to come and see this wonder in their back yard.

She screamed so loudly that even the neighbours came running, wondering what was wrong. Everyone was shocked to see this great footprint. The news of a giant footprint in the yard at the Mandela home ran through the area as fast as lightning. Soon, the whole village of Mvezo, the neighbouring villages, the provinces, the nation, Africa and the whole world gathered to see this great footprint – a wonder indeed.

Everyone was astonished by this great sight and everyone had more questions than answers. Who does it belong to? How great is that person? Why only a single footprint?

In life every question has an answer, and every problem a solution. But none of these happen in our own time, they happen at the best time.

It’s now 100 years since that footprint was found in Mvezo village. And every question is answered – it was the footprint of Nelson Mandela. The whole world knows today that it was his, because the exact date on which it was found was 18 July, 1918, the day he was born.

Who would have thought that a small village could give birth to a world icon – someone whose footprint changed our nation for the better and touched the whole world?

Nelson Mandela left a great footprint in this life, a print of forgiveness, hope for a better South Africa, and love for fellow human beings. He took a long walk to free us from the oppressors and he emphasised several times that his footprint wouldn’t have been so great if his fellow comrades hadn’t worked collectively. It was a footprint of giants, visionaries and fighters. They all knew that leadership is not a career, but a calling that comes with great responsibilities. Their footprint has influenced a positive change in our nation – a footprint that we as South Africans can choose to step on and follow.

As South Africans have a responsibility to make a difference in life, in our nation as a whole. We should learn from Mandela, that great things start small and simple, yet they come from a genuine heart full of passion and hope for a better future. We should implement change from our homes to our communities, then the world will be a better place. We all have something to offer, even your words of encouragement can help someone. Indeed nothing is impossible when the heart is willing. I quote Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” I believe he never thought his footprint would be so great – he was just trying to make a difference, and he ended up touching and changing the world.

Let us all unite to make a positive footprint this Mandela Day, let us touch and change lives, one at time, and tomorrow the world will be a better place for all. Let us build a nation the next generation will thank us for, a future full of light and hope. A future we will all be proud of. Our little footprints combined will be a great footprint that will match the footprint of our late President. Remember that footprints come in pairs, and we need to do our part and put our footprint next to the one in Mvezo, then the mission will be complete. South Africa, my motherland, can do better. I quote Mahatma Gandhi; “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”