Bickering, Fighting and Death….

Why is it that at the time of death arguments and strife will prevail?

Whilst one of the world’s greatest statesmen, Nelson Mandela, is fighting for his life – his family is bickering…  They are bickering about the burial site of the Rainbow Nation’s Icon, their father and grandfather.

The family are torn between Nelson Mandela’s favorite grandson Mandla, who wants him buried at his Mvezo birthplace, and the rest of the family, who feel that his wish to be buried next to his children should be respected.

The chieftain had moved the remains of his father Makgatho, who died of an Aids-related illness in 2005; his aunt Makaziwe, who died in 1948 at only nine months; and uncle Thembekile, who was killed in a car accident in 1969, to Mvezo.  This is making it impossible for Madiba to be buried next to his children because they are buried in Mvezo. Mandela is going to be buried in Qunu. . Mvezo is the birthplace and the traditional home of the Mandelas, and thereby lies its historic and heritage significance.  Qunu is the rural home of Nelson Mandela.

So whilst this brave warrior is edging closer to death his family have to make decisions that may rip the family apart.

Mandela often quoted Henley’s poem, Invictus (Unconquered)

“The passage towards death is a difficult journey,” an ANC activist told Channel 4 News.  “This country needs to celebrate his life, rather than let his death become a source of conflict. There is thing that we all unite on: all of us love Mandela. This nation will sink into deep mourning when he finally leaves us, no matter how prepared we think we might have been.”

Will the Mandela family unite in this time of sorrow or will they bring dishonour to this icon’s name?

In the meantime, South Africans are united in prayer.  United in our desire for this amazing man to be allowed to die with dignity.  That his family will behave with dignity and decorum…. Make Nelson Mandela proud….