Named after Mandela (By: Olwam Mnqwazi)

After attending ‘The Politics and Cultures of Naming’ online seminar hosted by the Nelson Mandela University in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, I was inspired by the humility of those who are tasked to work with the burden associated with carrying the Mandela name. I realised that the name doesn’t make Mandela but it means so much for all those who respect and are inspired by it. Protecting his name is largely about protecting the beneficiaries of the name and the realisation that the name will stand even if it is not protected by anyone. What might be important for us all is to acknowledge this benefaction, draw further lessons from it and allow the right of those who refused to receive the gift to do so in peace. Perhaps, a simple acknowledgement that Mandela got many things wrongs and we don’t have to justify that on his behalf posthumously. We can just learn from his fallibility too.

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