The Enigma Called Madiba

Last night I was scrolling through the news feeds on my facebook page when i stumbled on a post by a good friend of mine which states " REST IN PEACE MADIBA AFRICAN GREAT LEADER". I felt a cold chill run up my spine as I thought, oh! at last this man has finally left us.

Personally, I have been facinated by the life of this great enigma. The life he lived, his leadership qualities all helped to make Africa and the world a much better place. I would like to use this medium to share some of the leadership qualities of this great man.
1. He sacrificed all: The life of Nelson Mandela was a life of sacrifice for the people of South Africa. He laid down his life, education, family to ensure a better life for his people. He refused to accept offers from the Apartheid government during the early days of the struggle, instead he preferred the Robben Island prison than to sit in luxury and watch the people suffer. He must have the heart of the greatest leader of all, Jesus who sacrificed himself for humanity to reconcile us to God. Jesus taught us something profound when he said "no one who has left home or wife or brother or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to recieve many times as much in this age and in the age to come eternal life". The sacrifice of Madiba virtual bought him the world, he was begged to become president, a position  people would gladly kill and destroy to get.

2. He had a Large Heart; Madiba was a man with an incredibly large heart. He was loving, forgiving, humble and always ready to listen to ideas. He could have come out of prison and turned himself into an emperor or dictator, but not this man. I remember watching him soon after his release going round to visit and reconcile himself with those who worked hard to ensure his life was a living hell, especially the attorney who laboured to ensure Mandela was hanged during his trials. you could feel the genuiness of his smile, hugs and disposition.
when he became president, he dropped some of the "ignorant" policies of the ANC which could have spelt disaster to the economy of South Africa, thanks to his wide consultations and learning he had undergone after he was released.
There is too much to say about this man, he is an inspiration of hope to me and millions alike. I pray the youth of my country Nigeria learn something from the life of Nelson Mandela. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.