By Walter Wilson Nana
Madiba Nelson Mandela is 95 years, Thursday, July 18 2013 and celebrated that birthday on his sick bed in a clinic in Pretoria, South Africa.
Coming on the heels of his hospitalisation since June 8 2013, Cameroonians like the rest of the world are not left out in the outpouring of messages of goodwill to this iconic figure, anti-apartheid crusader, freedom fighter and former President of South Africa.
At the Buea Fakoship Plaza conference hall, Thursday, July 18, which is also the UN Mandela Day, members of the Mandela Forum in Buea, Southwest Region, gathered to not only wish the Madiba a happy 95 birthday, a quick recovery on his sick bed, but had time to discuss some of his legacies and the post Mandela impact in South Africa, the African continent and the rest of the world.
Mandela Forum in Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon
Mwalimu George Ngwane, Coordinator of the Buea Mandela Forum, gave a succinct background of how the Mandela Forum came into being, starting in 2007 in Buea, with the organisation of Mandela’s birthday by a club of Mandela’s fans. The initiative will continue in 2008, with then South Africa High Commissioner to Cameroon, Martha Tsheole stepping in with support from her High Commission, as they sponsored the move with presentation of gifts to some school children and the sick in Buea municipality.
Members of Mandela Forum deep in prayers
2009, the Mandela Forum had commemorative activities in Buea and Bamenda, Northwest Region of Cameroon respectively. The South African High Commission supported, with orphanages in Bamenda receiving gifts and young people in Buea schooled on leadership skills.
2010 to 2012, nothing happened, as Tsheole left the High Commission in Yaoundé, after her term of office expired.
The Imam of Buea, Muhammed Aboubakar, prays for Mandela
2013, the Mandela Forum is back, still without any sponsorship but with the spirit to share Mandela’s ideals and look at Mandela’s Birthday and Mandela Day in a spiritual manner.
Rev. Mary Wose of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC, prayed for the commitment of Mandela’s life into God’s will and for the children, the world to understand what Madiba has done.
According to Rev/Dr. Paul Wose Mokake
Dr. Molua reads Mandela's biography
of the Baptist Church, Mandela will be remembered for what he did, stood for and will die for.
Mokake threw it back to Cameroonians, asking; “What shall we be remembered for?”
The Imam of Buea, El Hadj Muhammed Aboubakar said it is relevant to think about the life of somebody who has done so much to a people and the world. He will add that death is different from illness,
George Ngwane, extols the virtues of the man, Mandela
noting that God is preparing Mandela for a greater life to come.
During the discussions, debates, which flowed in a relaxed atmosphere, participants talked about the Mandela of yesterday, today and post Mandela.
Ngwane saw Mandela as a man battered by life but never bitter, following his (Mandela’s) personal and family difficulties. The Civil Society Activist noted that it is important to look at the
The Madiba in pictures
post Mandela era, following the developments in today’s South Africa.
Dr. Ernest Lytia Molua of the University of Buea read the biography of Mandela from a book – No Easy Walk To Freedom, written by Ghanaian author, Ato Quayson.
The varsity lecturer lit the nine and the half candles before the ceremony started as a symbol of Mandela’s 95 years, saying each of the candles represent 10 years and the half, 5 years.
The birthday atmosphere was also spiced with the rendition of some poems in honour of Mandela and a series of light-hearted jokes from a budding comedian, Jerry King.
