Tommy Kapai: Fly a flag for father of freedom

Nelson Mandela promised all citizens of South Africa social justice and equality, not privileges for a black political elite. Photo/File.

How do you try to write words to do justice to the father of the Rainbow Nation who will take his rightful place in history beside Mother Theresa and Mahatma Gandhi?

Can a column, any column, paint a worthy picture of Nelson Mandela as the world farewells him on his journey home to the paepae of peace, where the gospel of forgiveness was first written?

My memory of when the world was told Madiba (Xhosa tribal name for Nelson Mandela) had walked his final steps to freedom will be as I was saying goodbye to Rototuna School, who had been staying at our marae.

I had been telling the tamariki stories late into the stormy night and as they snuggled up together in our wharenui at Tutereinga Marae I told them a story about an amazing man called Madiba, or Nelson Mandela as he was more widely known.

I told them of my travels to South Africa to help my mate write children's stories about Mr Mandela and I tried to paint a picture of Soweto back then when the new South Africa held his hand and took its first footsteps to freedom. They were footsteps on a pathway that the world, including Aotearoa-New Zealand, followed with much hope.

I will never grow tired of telling this story to tamariki, especially the part where Madiba is asked by Sir Hugh Kawharu, the then paramount Rangatira of Ngati Whatua, on his only visit here to thank Kiwis for standing by their side, the question: "Madiba, what did you learn when they locked you up on Robben Island for 27 years?"

Madiba rose to his feet slowly and spoke softly. "I learned how to forgive. The pathway to reconciliation is forgiveness," he said, and it was to become a mantra for Madiba and his followers, me being one of them.

His message for the world - just like another prophet of peace 2000 years before him, is one that should be taught at every opportunity.

Just as Jesus left a lesson of faith and forgiveness, so too has this Jesus of our generation.

The challenge for the Rainbow Nation now is to walk their founding father's walk; to push back against the greed and corruption that is creeping into South Africa like a thief in the night.

Life is tough and getting tougher in South Africa. Just ask any new arrival here.

Greed has no conscience or favour toward colour of skin.

President Jacob Zuma must pick up where Madiba left off and put away the trappings of so-called privileges he believes he and his selected few have earned.

Nothing can justify the multimillion-dollar mansions he is housing his hierarchy in.

Does he not remember the promises Madiba made to all of his people?

We as Maori can learn a lot about greed within our own ranks from what is happening in South Africa today.

Some say what is happening there under black leadership is a "slam dunk" on apartheid and the mass exodus of its people, who cannot see a safe and prosperous future, is testament to the coloured corruption that is pulling South Africa back to the dark days of De Klerk and his iron-fisted white rule.

As the world stops on Friday to say farewell to Madiba perhaps it is fitting that we as a community here in Tauranga Moana, somewhere, somehow, farewell one of the greatest human beings to walk this planet? Fly a flag, say a little prayer or sing a song of freedom.

Whatever we do to remember Madiba, let us walk those last steps to freedom with him so our children, just like the children of Rototuna School, will know a great leader has gone.

He was the Rangatira of Rongoa who took away the maemae (hurt) of a nation in apartheid pain. May the awhi (comfort) angels of Aotearoa carry him home to the other side, where Jesus and Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi and all of the other prophets sitting on the paepae of peace will welcome him home.

South Africa has lost its greatest son - the world has lost its father of forgiveness.

Kua moe te raiona, te rangatira o Awherika.

Madiba! Kua haere koe.

Haere ra, haere atu ra.

broblack@xtra.co.nz