Mandela is everyone's hero.
But listening to music whilst writing this afternoon I am reminded that there were other South African heroes:
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I have this track on a 1980s cassette (oops,showing my age), and whilst I am not a great fan of Peter Gabriel (although I must thank him for the WOMAD world music festival) this is a truly great track highlighting the massive injustice and state terror of the then South Africa and the bravery of people like Steve Biko.
Me too re the age thing….and all else you say
And never forget – the white reactionaries shot themselves in the foot, by assassinating Chris Hani, Mandela’s obvious successor, and an Asian too (so nicely rounding out the “Rainbow Nation” idea) with the result that the less than impressive Thabo Mbeki took over – a man who had not a clue how to deal with Mugabe, who has been in power about 25 years too long.
And Steve Biko – well – we should be so lucky here in the UK to have men and women (of any age, not just young like Steve Biko) of such sacrificial bravery. Pat Arrowsmith springs to mind as a UK equivalent.
Apologies for a serious error in my post – Chris Hani wasn’t Asian, as I thought, but a black African, born in Transkei. Should have checked my facts before posting. Apologies, not least to Chris Hani’s memory.
There ARE other South African heroes.
Pieter-Dirk Uys for one… Tutu for another.
The Real heroes stand out by NOT resorting to violence.