VIEW FROM THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
SOUTH AFRICA – BEYOND NELSON MANDELA
The citizens of South Africa and the people of the rest of the world are now poised to reflect on the legacy of the legendary Nelson Mandela, who passed in December last year. We in the Commonwealth parliamentary community had earlier on followed the state of his health, as the country was to host our 59th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in September. Before and during the conference, I was personally worried that perhaps the conference proceedings would be cancelled, if the beloved leader were to die at the time. God, however, decided to give the delegates the best opportunity to express their love and admiration of the African icon, when he was still alive, to the wonderful success of the conference. The great African and world leader passed on in December 2013, sending tremors through the global community. I was privileged to represent the CPA at his funeral
ceremonies, in what turned out to be another learning experience of the rewards of leadership through courage, patriotism, and reconciliation. As my wife and I witnessed the various events, a cross-section of feelings and expressions emerged in the South African society. From sorrow and joy, to hope and despair; above all, there was hope for unity and progress. We joined the Speaker of the Gauteng Legislative
Dr William F. Shija S
ceayGnrl o te Cm owat
ertr- eea f h o mn elh
Primnay Ascain ala etr soito
Assembly, Hon. Lindiwe Maseko-Kasolo, MPL, and fellow Members to pay our last respects to the late ‘Madiba’ in Pretoria. Our feelings of deprivation changed however when we observed the number of ordinary South Africans, young and old, braving their way through police barriers to access the last opportunity to view his body. It was an expression of the immense popularity Mandela enjoyed as a leader who worked selflessly with his colleagues of the African National Congress (ANC) to overcome the Apartheid system in South
The Secretary-General’s
The Director of Programmes, Ms Meenakshi Dhar (right) presenting a gift to the Speaker of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Mr Asad Qaiser.
10 | The Parliamentarian | 2014: Issue One
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