Nelson Mandela was famous for many sayings, all of which reflected his core beliefs and integrity as a leader. One of the first words he said as he walked out of prison addressing the crowds was: ‘Mayibuye iAfrika! Amandla ngawethu!’ meaning Africa must return to its people, the power is in our hands. He did not miss the opportunity to remind Africans of what they have, and that the only way forward was through peace, democracy, justice and equality.

As he championed peace and democracy, he was also painfully aware that none of these matter when poverty ravages families and communities. He stated: ‘It is no use to talk about democracy and stability, when people cannot put food in their stomachs.’ There is no better example of a leader that understood the importance of caring first for people and their needs. His rallying call to make poverty history in this generation rings loudly in our ears: ‘Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom. Of course the task will not be easy. But not to do this would be a crime against humanity, against which I ask all humanity now to rise up. Make poverty history in 2005. Make poverty history in 2005! Then we can all stand with our heads held high.’

In one of his more famous speeches, he laid out a perfect diagnosis for the root of the challenge we face as African nations, and indeed as increasingly unequal societies the world over: ‘I have cherished the ideal of democratic and free society in which all person’s live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve, but if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.’

Equality of opportunity is an ideal in the hearts of millions of young people across the world, especially in Africa where economic growth means little for the grassroots person. It is an ideal that African youth and grassroots organisations are championing at the level of the African Union and the United Nations as these institutions deliberate on the post-2015 development agenda. It is an ideal that African Monitor shares, believes in, and hopes to champion until every square inch of Africa is truly free. Such freedom will be marked by human dignity, equality of opportunity and capability to function for all Africans.

We send condolences to Madame Graça Machel and the Mandela family at large.

* Archbishop Njongo Ndungane is President of African Monitor.

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