Inside Report with Basch: Happy birthday, Madiba
This year marks the first time that our country will be celebrating our icon's birthday without him.
Madiba had such a profound influence on the world around him, on his country and all who live in it. He was an honest person speaking his mind but in a respectful way. He sought to find truth without injury, but wasn’t afraid to face adversity.
My birthday is July 14, four days before Madibas’ and this may sound funny, but being a Cancerian like him made me feel close to him, as if to say that I could understand the emotions that he could be feeling.
The intense warrior spirit balanced by the nurturing side that is the mark of a Cancerian male.
Not afraid to fight but shrewd enough to avoid one by being able to see the situation from all sides and find the right words at the right time to ease the situation. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that we are one because of our star signs, I am just saying I understand a lot of his nature because it is similar to mine.
What I understand is the need to see the world as being greater than myself, to seeing the needs of the people as being greater than mine. What I see is a political environment that spends more time name-calling than actually fixing the problems.
I often wonder if this is what Madiba had envisioned for our country or if we have strayed in our liberal beliefs into the wilderness of democratic mudslinging.
A place where those trying to do right get punished the hardest and those most guilty are absolved of their sins. Most of all what I believe is that it is now up to me and in fact everybody to understand the vision and philosophy of a man who was flawed like any other, but brave enough to admit it and strong enough to work on fixing it.
To look at our country not as opposing sides with dissenting views, but rather as a diverse collection of people with varying views and to realise that this is our country, all of ours not just the few.
It is our responsibility to maintain, grow and sustain this country and this continent for ourselves, our children and their children to come.
So in conclusion: Happy Birthday Madiba, may your legacy live long in the hearts of the people you served so well.
Did you know, you can find Councillor Michael Basch on Facebook or contact him via email, michael@phoenixrising.co.za
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