A lady I work with told me when she started working for her company as a black woman, she had her own toilets, wasn't allow to take coffee to her bosses office but would give it to his PA. She wasn't allow to let the office phone touch her ears (skin) and should she have to answer or use it then she would have to hold it in the air just close enough to hear but never touching her ear. Yes, she was lucky because they where also 'kind' to her as she was poor like many South African's but she was greatful to God for the job. They (her white employers) bought her food, allow her to take any leftover food, brought her hand-me-downs and paid for her kids education. They paid her peanuts and she made tea, cleaned the office including all the toilets and today she is the first person you see when you visit their company. She was in her early 20's when she started working for the company and now retirement is around the corner for her.
Madiba fought for own freedom but also taught us to forgive the wrongs of the past yet our parents and grandparents will never forget. He gave hope and the opportunity to dream and aspire beyond our current present, 'the is no limit' is a new conscious being taught to black kids because of him. I know my rights and will continue to fight for them, so thank you Tata Mandela.
Before 1994, when my father left for work every morning he would travel by train and now he can afford to take the bus and we leave in the suburbs, we are not rich but we can pay rent. We don't have to worry about him been arrested because his an illegal immigrant as he was once arrested and deported a day before payday, that day we had no food (a family of four at the time) or milk for a baby that only wanted formula milk and the minute he was release across the Mozambique border he made his way back to South Africa, he then went straight to work to collect him pay and buy formula milk for my 1yrs brother. Now we are citizens. Thank you Tata Mandela.
I may not have everything but he has made it possible for me to expect more from life. I don't say, it is because I'm black that I don't have a house like other kids my age or have a better job, I know it is because I couldn't afford to go to university after matric because my parents where from a racist background and never knew of the importance of saving.
As we mourn our lost, we are also happy that he is resting and at peace. We feel the blessing that his life brought us and happy memories now also bring pain of joy, love and gratitude.
God is great, God answers prayers. At a time when many South African's needed deliverance, he gave them freedom fighters, he gave them Nelson Mandela. A person that not only inspired South African's but always the world. Rest Madiba, you've lived for billions even after retirement.
No words of 'Thank You' will ever be enough but 'THANK YOU'
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