Addressing the Eurocentric narrative of Nelson Mandela; a sit down with Siyabulela Mandela

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“When one critically examines Mandela’s legacy they would find a leader that was principled and pragmatic, always prepared to throw away a theory or an idea that did not serve his cause which was not forgiveness but the liberation of the oppressed black people.”

On July 18^th, 2020 the world commemorated Mandela Day by dedicating 67 minutes to do charity work and service to the community. The 67 minutes acknowledged the 67 years that Nelson Mandela had struggled against colonialism, apartheid, and all forms of inequality, and injustice.

I had the honour of meeting Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Siyabulela Mandela, when Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was invited to an exhibit last year. I was surprised when I arrived, and he was there with a friend. No press. No cameras just the three of us, and since then, we have developed a good friendship.

Siyabulela Mandela is the Team Leader for Journalists for Human Rights in South Sudan and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in International Relations and Conflict resolution in the Department of Politics and Conflict Studies at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. We were having one of our catch up sessions, when he informed me that he was writing a piece on his grandfather. He promised to send it to me, and then we could discuss what he had written.

I received it on July 20^th, and I requested a phone call immediately. The piece is strong. Direct. It provides a history that some of us do know, and some of us may not. This is a 10 page academic piece, and there is no way that I can cover it in one article, but if you are interested in reading the whole piece, feel free to reach out to me, and I will send it to you.

Last Tuesday, I gave him a call, and one of the first questions I asked was, “What has the feedback been like since you wrote this piece?”

“What kind of feedback do I need,” he said, and I laughed. “There are people who disagree with my stance, and these disagreements usually come in different forms. I draw inspiration, protection and wisdom from and I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors. I had to address this Eurocentric narrative of Nelson Mandela. They have misappropriated parts of his stories.

I wrote this exposition “The Mandela I know” as a tribute to my great-grandfather Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela, as a descendent of King Ngubengcuka of the Thembu Kingdom, also as a descendent of The House of Mandela, and a son to the late Nosipho and Boy Mandela. I pledge my allegiance to my ancestors: Madiba, Sophitsho, Yem-Yem, Gqolomsila, Dlomo, Zondwa and the House of Mandela.”

He took a slight pause. I knew that he was about to go in, so I sat there on the phone and patiently waited.

“I had to add my voice to clarify some of the misconceptions and mistakes on Mandela’s legacy and to put things into perspective. I endeavour to inspire my generation and the generation yet to come to understand this simple clarion call to action advanced by Frantz Fanon that ‘Each generation must discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it, in relative opacity.’ However, as one who comes from the Mandela lineage my commitment and contribution to the movement has often been viewed with suspicion and questionable judgement influenced by this dominant narrative of Mandela as a sell-out.”

 “Is this what provoked you to write this?” I queried.

“I wrote this Simone, to correct some of the biographies that have been written. This view of Mandela as a sell-out became more prominent during the Rhodes and Fees Must Fall Movement and among the leaders of the movement and some from within the circles of my comrades. It was time to address the historians who have the tendency to minimize Nelson Mandela’s legacy.”

His-Story

“Today forgiveness is seen as a central component of Mandela’s legacy and this excessive focus on forgiveness diminishes Mandela’s political legacy and blunts his power.”

“Let’s be clear Simone; the dominate narrative that is held, addresses the white fear. This narrative is what I am challenging, and will continue to challenge. Let’s go into my family history.

Mandela’s father, Gadla Mphakanyiswa Mandela, was the Chief of the House of Mandela within the Thembu Kingdom. He was also a traditional and modern politician dating back to the Thembuland of the 19th century. Mandela’s father who was constantly at loggerheads with the colonial administration was later deposed of his position as the Chief of the House of Mandela by a colonial magistrate, and banished from his land. This resistance against colonization has existed in my family for centuries.

 It is of no surprise that Nelson would continue down the road paved for him. He led the African National Congress, when they started the Defiance Campaign in 1952. This campaign called on people to purposefully break the apartheid laws and offer themselves for arrest.

The History of resistance against colonialism and apartheid by the ANC underwent three phases: the first was dialogue and petition, the second direct opposition and the last the period of exiled and underground armed struggle.

In fact, in the 1980, Mandela was regarded by the western countries like the United States and the United Kingdom as a terrorist advancing a communist agenda in Southern Africa

Mandela was arrested on several occasions and stood trial four times from 1952 to 1964. It is in the Rivonia Trial of 1964 that Mandela was sentenced with seven of his comrades to life imprisonment and served 27 years of his sentence before he was unconditionally released.

Another aspect of the Mandela legacy is the role that Winnie Mandela played. It is not strongly mentioned. When all the leaders were arrested, there were young people leading the struggle. She is accused of many crimes against humanity, because she became too political.

Mandela’s Legacy Revisited

 During my talk with Siyabulela, I learned about some of the programmes and mandates that were put into play under Nelson Mandela’s leadership.

Rural Development Programme

This program provided social housing for the previously disadvantaged majority of black people, and the provision of social grants for the poor, orphans and the elderly.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission based on Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act No 34 of 1995

The commission was devised as a peace and reconciliation tool used to bring together both the victims and perpetrators of the violent apartheid regime to deliberate on what happened in the past.

“You must support the African National Congress only so far as it delivers to its promises, and if it fails to stay true to the mandate given by the people, you must do to it as you have done to the apartheid regime.”  Nelson Mandela

There is so much still to learn about Nelson Mandela, and I am encouraged by the fact that one of his heirs, has decided to set the record straight.