As I was looking for resources to share about Nelson Mandela in the show notes to highlight some of the great points that Tamrat Negera Brought up I came across this great site https://www.un.org/es/events/mandeladay/legacy.shtml where Nelson Mandela is quoted:
“When apartheid came to an end, we stumbled upon the difficult task of rebuilding our shattered society and providing the most basic services to our population. We had to build schools and hospitals, provide housing and jobs, boost our economy, protect the rights of our peoples through the Constitution and the courts, help South Africa seek a solution to the division that existed in the past and begin the process of healing and finding solutions to the abuses and harm that buried most of our communities.
Essentially, our task was to create the conditions in which every South African had the opportunity to create a better life for himself. But the government cannot face these problems on its own. We all need to join forces, collectively, to achieve the necessary changes.
To achieve these objectives, we also need to transform the government from a system that served minority interests to one that meets the needs of all South Africans. And all these things had to be done in a country where the majority were deprived of government experience or adequate vocational education and training. For that reason, we put the emphasis on strengthening the government’s capacities.
When we affirm that the best solutions to these problems can only be found by working together, this requires a commitment from each and every one of us. Today we should ask ourselves: What have I done to improve the environment in which I live? Am I polluting or protecting my environment? Do I promote racial hatred or peace and reconciliation? Do I buy stolen objects or help fight crime? Do I pay my debts or deception with taxes, payment of services and permits? Do I hope everything is given to me or do I work with the councilors of my locality to create a better life for me and my community?”
I also thought about the most recent episode of Fireside by Blair Hodges https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fireside-with-blair-hodges/id1559678265?i=1000548910543 and how much more we need to do to root out poverty.
These thoughts combine to stir within my soul a great desire to help lift others and to really consider how I answer the questions Nelson Mandela poses. ALL are needed to lift others and to make the world a better place. If everyone of us focused more on how we could provide more opportunities for others instead of just ourselves and if we faced the people around us as humans to be loved instead of problems to be solved, we would make amazing strides in changing the world for good.
Listen to more of Tamrat’s great insights at: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-yxv2s-11945ab