Long Walk To Freedom

If you have been following my blog, you will notice that my blogs are not always directly related to my Peace Corps experience. In fact, my blogs are a result of my own personal reflections and thoughts based on very personal experiences that I have had thus far. I choose not to be confined to discuss the interesting things that happen throughout my day or to vent my frustrations. On the contrary, I try to post things that are stimulating, educational, and beneficial to all readers. This particular post does just that. Over the last three months I have been reading a book that has left an indelible impression upon my life. That book is "Long Walk to Freedom," which is the autobiography of Nelson Mandela. 

I traveled to Cape Town, South Africa during my April holiday. It was truly a life changing experience that I had to write about it twice. If you recall, my last post was also about Cape Town. However, I focused on my trip to the Slave Lodge and the psychological experience I had. I thought it necessary to write this blog to express my feelings of my trip to Robben Island, visiting Madiba's cell, and reading his book thereafter. Through the life of Nelson Mandela I have learned the importance of freedom of political rights and education as a means of liberation. 

Going to the prison cell of Nelson Mandela was truly life changing. The biggest take away for me is that Mandela and the other senior leaders wrote letters and political literature to younger inmates who were members of the Black Conscious Movement and other organizations. The letters educated the other inmates on the African National Congress' (ANC) policies and goals to pursue a multicultural, nonracial, one man-one vote South Africa. It was through the passing of notes that those who did have a formal education became educated. As a result, those who entered prison with no education received an education comparable to any doctoral holder at the time. 

In essence, Madiba gave back and paid it forward through education while being a political prisoner. The policies of apartheid held him in prison for 27 years. But what impressed me the most was his insatiable desire to pursue education. He continued to read books and pursue a degree when such privileges were allowed. I believe my life has been impacted by the life of Madiba and his desire to pursue education. 

He stated that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. I am now comitted to educate other in the spirit of Madiba. I realize that "an educated man can never be oppressed because he can think for himself." Mandela had taught me that "It is important for freedom fighters to remain in touch with his own roots," to effectively bring about change for his own people. I am learning that 'a degree is not in itself a guarantee of leadership and that it means nothing unless one went out into the community to prove oneself.' 

As I continue to grow, I realize that it is important to be in the community working with the people you seek to serve. As a Peace Corps volunteer this is a great realization. Sustainable development is participatory, inclusive, people centered, and has a bottom-up approach. It is prudent for development work to focus on empowering people to make decisions for themselves using skills that they already have. Visiting Robben Island and reading his book has changed my life forever. 

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika!