The name " Nelson Mandela " will be writ large in the pages of history. When we think of South Africa we automatically think of this icon who spent twenty-seven years in a prison on Robben island for daring to oppose the apartheid regime that held his fellow black citizens in bondage.
Eventually, Nelson Mandela triumphed and apartheid was swept away and Mandela became the first black president of his country, holding that office from 1994 to 1999.
Nelson Mandela is now a very old man. Born on July 18, 1918 he is in poor health, suffering the aftermath of Tuberculosis from years of hard labour during his prison time. He has spent his twilight years as the revered figure his people have needed to remind them of the long journey to freedom - and of the work that remains to be done.
Sadly, he is not being allowed to end his life without contention. He lays in a hospital bed connected to life support machinery while bitter disputes rage amongst his family members. There is the question of turning off that life support and letting him slip away naturally, but that is opposed by some of his loved ones.
At the same time, a virtual war has erupted over the destination of his body when life finally ceases. Mandela's wish is being overruled and three of his children have been exhumed and their bodies reburied in a site favoured by some of his family. It is rumoured that the Mandela burial site will attract thousands of tourists - and will be a huge money making concession.
There is also the chance that this entire matter will have to be settled in the courts, and during that time a man who deserves better will remain hooked up to life saving equipment and kept artificially " alive " in a hospital.
If that happens, it will be a sad end for a great man !
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