Nelson Mandela: The Last Great Hero

Nelson Mandela passed away last night (5th December 2013), and I wanted to write a small tribute to a man that I have always considered the Last Great Hero of the 20th Century. I wasn't aware how much his passing would affect me, I'm certainly not one to jump on any sort of mourning bandwagon or throw around soft platitudes. But Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a cut above the rest, a true inspiration and a man that I would like to emulate, maybe not in the scale of what he achieved but his philosophy that he lived by and shared with the humanity. I've given him the title of "Last Great Hero" because in a world where political corruption, turmoil and social imbalance has caused so many to stand together and shout "NO MORE" in one voice. Mandela was the loudest of voices.

We are one decade into the 21st century and I am struggling to find the heroes. The Winston Churchills, the FDRs, the Mother Theresa, the Martin Luther King Jrs, the Mahatma Gandhis & the Nelson Mandelas have all left humanity with a huge void to fill. Who are we left with? Leaders who do not inspire, who disappoint, who look at their press agent before making any decision, whose bank balance can only be outdone by the next politician in line. Corruption and Corporate greed has taken a powerful hold on the politics. Where are the inspirations? We need heroes. Normal people who stand up for our principles, they encourage positive change and growth for all members of society. I want to be inspired. Humanity needs to be inspired. 

Where have all the heroes gone?

My hope for humanity and for humanities soul lies in the people who lay their lives on the line and take a stand for peace and understanding. Edward Snowden, Chelsea (Bradley) Manning, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Malala Yousafzai. These are heroes. These are people who we should aspire to be. Not the Kanyes, the Kardashians & the Biebers. Humanity needs to care more about the state of humanity and our place in it. How does humanity want to leave its mark once earth? As George Carlin once enlightened "The planet’ll shake us off like a bad case of fleas." So how will human beings be remembered. Will we just destroy everything and everyone until there is nothing. We must strive to help each other. We can be better. Humanity can be awesome.

Lets continue Madiba's legacy. Lets live to make the world a better place. Let us not hold onto the negativity and anger that holds us back. Let go of all the crap and fallout we walk around with. Let our hatred and animosity melt away. 

Show love, respect and kindness. Not because a book or someone tells you to. But because, knowing that a little love, a smile and a hug can change the world, one moment, one person, one day at a time.


RIP Madiba "The Last of the Great Heroes"















Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 
1918 - 2013