Honouring Nelson Mandela this Mandela Day
Lwando Xaso, constitutional lawyer and member of Soho House’s Inclusivity Board in Johannesburg, reflects on the importance of remembering the man and his legacy on this auspicious day
Monday 18 July By Lwando Xaso
Nelson Mandela International Day honours the venerated freedom fighter who became the first democratic president of South Africa and a global icon for justice, equality and freedom. The day, which was officially declared by the United Nations in 2009, is celebrated on Mandela’s birthday. This 18 July, I mark the day by honouring not only Mandela the man, who is no longer with us, but more importantly the ideals that he fought his entire life to vindicate.
In 2011, former President Mandela lit a spark that ignited a flame set to burn for eternity in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of South Africa’s constitutional democracy – arguably the world’s most celebrated constitution for its progressive and transformative nature. This perpetual flame sits directly opposite the Constitutional Court, located on a former colonial and apartheid-era prison where Mandela had been imprisoned twice, known today as Constitution Hill.
In 2011, former President Mandela lit a spark that ignited a flame set to burn for eternity in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of South Africa’s constitutional democracy – arguably the world’s most celebrated constitution for its progressive and transformative nature. This perpetual flame sits directly opposite the Constitutional Court, located on a former colonial and apartheid-era prison where Mandela had been imprisoned twice, known today as Constitution Hill.
On this site filled with memories of our shameful history, the Flame of Democracy represents the achievements of a people who, with the support of the world, defeated the brutal apartheid regime. The Flame serves as a metaphor for democracy, which is itself under threat the world over. A flame, like democracy, only burns to the extent that we the people tend to it vigilantly. Fire, if unharnessed can be destructive. Fire if neglected, dies. But when nurtured, fire is a sign of life, warmth and community.
At the time when President Mandela sparked the light that would ignite the Flame of Democracy, he was retired from public life and quietly resting at his home in the village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. A freedom fighter, however, never fully retires, so he was all too happy to light an oil lamp that was then flown to Johannesburg.
At the time when President Mandela sparked the light that would ignite the Flame of Democracy, he was retired from public life and quietly resting at his home in the village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. A freedom fighter, however, never fully retires, so he was all too happy to light an oil lamp that was then flown to Johannesburg.
Mandela’s burning oil lamp landed at Constitution Hill on 10 December 2011, which is also World Human Rights Day, established to mark the day in 1948 the UNs General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The lamp was like a baton. It had travelled across the country, passing from one judge to the next, until it reached the Chief Justice, who then lit the Flame of Democracy. I was a young law clerk for Justice Edwin Cameron at the Constitutional Court at the time. Witnessing this commemoration cemented my commitment to strive to play my part in upholding and living the values of the constitution.
People, no matter how indomitable, come and go but their ideas are forever. Nelson Mandela passed away on 5 December 2013, but the flame he lit two years prior burns to this day. The Flame of Democracy represents what we have inherited from our forbearers, who acted decisively to end oppression. Today, all across the world, we face new struggles rooted in old ones. Today we can best honour the life of Nelson Mandela by taking the baton and continuing where he left off, securing and enhancing the gains of freedom and democracy.
Lwando Xaso is a constitutional lawyer, writer and historian and member of our Inclusivity Board in Johannesburg
People, no matter how indomitable, come and go but their ideas are forever. Nelson Mandela passed away on 5 December 2013, but the flame he lit two years prior burns to this day. The Flame of Democracy represents what we have inherited from our forbearers, who acted decisively to end oppression. Today, all across the world, we face new struggles rooted in old ones. Today we can best honour the life of Nelson Mandela by taking the baton and continuing where he left off, securing and enhancing the gains of freedom and democracy.
Lwando Xaso is a constitutional lawyer, writer and historian and member of our Inclusivity Board in Johannesburg