December 8th, 2013
I am witnessing, the jubilant ups and dismaying down of our political heroes-the sad moment! I am watching your surprising and never stopping journey towards highest peak-the wonderful moment!
Our both countries had achieved political freedom at 1990, you showed your statesmanship and led your nation so efficiently towards stable democracy & led to conclude successfully the political transition! We’ve been left far behind Madiba- as an incapable fighter, we fail to manage our political change and entered into the new cycle of terrible violent conflict! Since 2006, again we have entered into similar course what you had introduced in 1990; we have been referring you and your path time and again, however our struggle is yet far from destination!
Dear Mandela!
You were the first President in this world whom I had sent congratulation first time in my life in a capacity of General Secretary of Nepali national trade union center- GEFONT! Despite my deep desire to meet you physically, I never had that chance, (I had briefly met your successor – Thabo Mbeki in Durban in 1999)! No matter, since long, I met you in my feelings, and kept your hard struggle in my reference! To Keep alive, the flame of rebellion against every injustice inside my heart, I had chosen you as the source of inspiration!
I have sketched many more your portraits painting with the slogans- “Free Nelson Mandela! Down with apartheid regime!” Those were my days of youth, while I was struggling against the party-less system imposed by the absolute monarchy- for freedom and democracy in my country! We often like to compare South Africa with our country Nepal! Our both countries had achieved political freedom at 1990, you showed your statesmanship and led your nation so efficiently towards stable democracy & led to conclude successfully the political transition! We’ve been left far behind Madiba- as an incapable fighter, we fail to manage our political change and entered into the new cycle of terrible violent conflict! Since 2006, again we have entered into similar course what you had introduced in 1990; we have been referring you and your path time and again, however our struggle is yet far from destination!
Madiba!
The sad moment, I am witnessing- the jubilant ups and dismaying down of our political heroes! The wonderful moment, I am watching your surprising and never stopping journey towards highest peak! Despite your call not to make you a mystical & mythical hero, the world is considering you as the eternal source of inspiration!
Today, whole world is sadly missing you! I am as well one of the those millions who eager to pay extreme honour! Long live Madiba, my heartfelt tribute to you! Mandela is not a person- but itself is a movement, the world has terribly missed you!!!
Let me share my deep condolence to the entire South African sisters and brother and bereaved family!
Bishnu Rimal
President,
General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT)