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PNC pays tribute to Mandela through reflections, pledges to uphold legacy
The People National Congress Reform (PNCR) yesterday hosted a rally in honor of the late world icon Nelson Mandela.
Perhaps because of the weather, the rally had no more than 150 people but those that gathered paid attentive interest in the message and reflections that characterized yesterday’s event.
The rally was intentionally planned to be on the day when Mandela was laid to rest.
The late Nelson Mandela
The gathering was treated to both cultural entertainment and speeches intended to recognize the past as well as guide the way forward.
The programme was chaired by Parliamentarian, Christopher Jones and blessed by Annette Ferguson, also a Member of Parliament.
Jonathan Adams delivered reflections on behalf of Region 10 and was immediately followed by Vincent Alexander, who spoke on behalf of the Burnham Foundation.
Alexander delivered a biography on Mandela’s life, beginning from his younger years and covered the occurrences from that time to when he became a world leader.
Alexander noted how Mandela evolved from an advocate of peaceful resistance to the leader of an armed struggle. The Guyanese politician noted too that even before Mandela became the first black President of South Africa, Guyana supported his struggle and what he stood for.
Alexander recalled the heavy contributions that Guyana’s very own Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham made to the movement. He also recalled some of the lessons that Guyanese were taught through Mandela’s action. Those being that an oppressed people can respond to oppression in various ways; “there can be no individual freedom in the midst of oppression and squalor.”
Alexander ended his speech with words that encouraged the maintenance of the legacies of both Mandela and Burnham both of whom he lauded as extraordinary human beings.
“Freedom isn’t free, it comes at a price,” was a message brought out in an absolutely impacting speech delivered by Pastor Lawrence Haywood.
He said that Mandela was VAST—Visionary, Authoritative, Servant hearted and Transformative. Haywood said that those are qualities of a good leader. The pastor urged those that gathered not to disappoint Mandela “don’t disappoint the man in the mirror, the ball is in our court and God is on our side. “
Such an event could not have passed without the Opposition leader and historian, David Granger making his contribution. He told the gathering that Guyanese have been behind Mandela a long time and emphasized that he lives on Mandela Avenue. Being the historian he is, Granger highlighted the years, 1970, 1975, 1977 and 1980 as significant years in the history of Mandela’s struggle and the years where Guyana made significant contributions to the movement to which Mandela gave his life and said that his party is not invoking a “phony’ love for the hero.
Granger placed emphasis on saying that each has a role to play in ensuring that the legacy of Mandela is not destroyed by those who may want to take over from where the oppressors left. The politician said that it must be remembered that Mandela fought not only for equality between white and black but for equality between rich and poor blacks as well. He asked that all join in his prayer to see Mandela’s legacy become a reality in Guyana.
Leader of the Yoruba Singers, Eze Rockcliffe, quoted Kwame Nkrumah “Freedom is not a commodity that is given to the enslaved upon demand, it’s a precious reward, a shining trophy of struggle and sacrifice,” as he delivered his contributions to the programme.
Rockcliffe sang two renditions, “African people” and “Farewell Mandela.” The Circle of Love also made two contributions.
There was also representation from ACDA and Parliamentarian Volda Lawrence contributed by highlighting the role of women in struggle and movements.
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