South Africa: Tribute to Nelson Mandela by Elsa Dixon

Nelson Mandela

South Africa: Tribute to Nelson Mandela 

by Elsa Dixon

Having just become a United States citizen, it is natural that I should contemplate the country that, in a sense, I left behind. But, anyone who has been to Africa will know that Africa stays in your blood. Therefore, as a dual citizen, I would like to share some of my reflections.

South Africa has become synonymous with the icon, Nelson Mandela, and I thought that I would pay tribute to this great man while at the same time, at the risk of sounding facetious, explore where my path intersected his.

Transkei Area Map

Nelson Mandela as a young man.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in a little village, Mveso, in the Transkei, not far from East London. The Transkei was a former Bantustan, i.e. an area set aside for persons of a certain ethnicity, in this case, the Xhosas.  His father was of Thimbu royalty and chief of the city of Mvezo. For a number of years, Transkei was declared one of four independent territories in South Africa, but in 1994, when Nelson Mandela became president, it was reintegrated into the Eastern Province.

The Transkei, on the beautiful East Coast, was an ideal holiday destination for affluent people. The Xhosa people, their unique mud homes, their dress, singing and dancing added to the charm of the country. Our family lived on this coast for a number of years, and in fact, my youngest daughter was born there in the 1970’s. I taught at a local high school and a technical college and played cello in the East London Symphony Orchestra for two years.

Xhosa-weavers

Transeki landscape.

Young men during Amakweta

At age 16, Nelson Mandela underwent the traditional initiation rites to be recognized as a man. During this time, the initiates are called ‘amakweta’ and they are painted white with clay, wrapped in blankets and isolated in huts that are subsequently burnt.

I remember having tea on my porch on the banks of the Sabie River in the Hoxani Nature Reserve when a group of Amakweta came down to the river in single file. It was amazing to catch a glimpse of this age-old and private event. 

University of Fort Hare

Nelson Mandela attended the University of Fort Hare, historically the oldest black university in South Africa. Alumni include African leaders from as far as Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, as well as many local politicians, poets, novelists and journalists.

Elsa Dixon, M.Ed from Fort Hare

 In the early 1990’s, during the transitional time leading up to the release of Nelson Mandela, I was a lecturer at Lovedale College next door to the University of Fort Hare, both in the homeland of Ciskei. I later enrolled at the University of Fort Hare, where I obtained my Master’s degree. 

Toyi-toyi Dance Protests

However, it was a politically unstable time with looting and burning, and the educational institutions closed more than once because of unrest. A favorite form of protest was a dance called the Toyi-toyi, combining the stomping of feet and spontaneous chanting of political slogans or songs, either improvised or previously created.

Our college had to be evacuated when Ciskei's president, Lennox Sebe, was overthrown in a coup spearheaded by the homeland's new military leader, Brigadier Oupa Gqozo. He wanted to reincorporate the territory into South Africa while the President wanted to retain power.

Robben Island

After obtaining his law degree at the University of Witwatersrand and practicing as a lawyer in Johannesburg, Nelson Mandela became frustrated in his peaceful fight against apartheid. He resorted to more violent action that led to his arrest in 1963 and subsequent jailing on Robben Island near Cape Town. He remained in prison there for 18 years before he was transferred to the mainland for the remaining 9 years.

Elsa Dixon in Nelson Mandela's cell on Robben Island

 I grew up and went to school and University in Cape Town with beautiful Table Mountain as backdrop. My first memory of Robben Island is, when as a young child, our family went over in a small boat from Cape Town. We were accompanying my dad who, as a comedian and magician, was invited to entertain the officials and prisoners on Robben Island. In recent years, I have often taken American friends to experience the emotional impact of the island. Today, ex-wardens and prisoners work together as tour guides.

Elsa's Scrapbook: First Democratic Election in South Africa

Praise singer

In May 1994 Nelson Mandela became the first president of a democratic South Africa. At his inauguration, according to Xhosa custom, a praise-singer was employed to relate the history and achievements of his clan and to sing his praises.  

I was living in the private Sabi Sand game reserve during election time. In order to vote, my husband, mother and I had to go on a game drive through the bush to a distant luxury game lodge serving as a voting station. It was in the Ciskei that I learned about Xhosa traditions, songs and dancing and saw a praise-singer in action at a party to celebrate a colleague’s master’s degree.

Voting at Sabie Sands Game Lodge

Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Prize Statue

Nelson Mandela’s greatest legacy is that he managed to keep violence from exploding in South Africa. He managed to win the hearts of people across the board. Together with F.W.de Klerk, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Vilakazi Street

When driving down Vilakazi Street in Soweto, it is very impressive to point out the houses of two Nobel Peace Prize winners in one street: Bishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. The street is a beehive of activity, from African marimbas to restaurants and museums.

Mandela image Cape Town

Nelson Mandela died on December 5^th, 2013.  Through different strategies, he managed to create a ‘rainbow nation’, convincing the white population as a whole that they belonged fully in the new South Africa. He supported the ‘all-white’ game of rugby and publicly promoted the World cup in South Africa, as depicted in the movie Invictus. He ensured that sections of the Afrikaans and English versions of the old National Anthem were incorporated in the new National Anthem. His legacy of charm, respect, integrity, pragmatism and common sense lives on.

Flag of South Africa