Perspective

This week, Nelson Mandela was in hospital...and then he was released from hospital...and now he is at home recovering. As were a whole bunch of other good people. To me, what is incredible about the story is that he is 93. That's good going!

Now I would never downplay Madiba's greatness, humility and compassion (etc.), as he is an icon worthy of his status, but he is, too, a man. An old man. A 93 year old man who is sick, and in theory, has passed the average age in every category under which he falls.

My problem is that, as South Africans, and the world, we are expected to stay up until midnight, to light a candle in his honour and, as stated, "regardless of your religious group, pray for his speedy recovery".

The candle part is just rubbish, but I think the praying bit is important. Why though, only for Madiba? When/(If) I pray for the sick, surely he will fall into that category; when I pray for the country, I will thank God for Mandela's role in the peaceful fight for a better SA; if 'his day' is coming soon (yes, we actually have no say in this), I will pray for those dying and that they may have a dignified and pain-free death.

But as for me, today I pray for the family of the unknown man who's body I saw lying on the N3 in front of a car last night. I pray too, for the hungry children less than ten minutes drive away; I pray for the families in distress because of finances; I pray for the safety of my loved ones; as well as discernment for people in power on a small, and large scale.

Why do I do this? Because THAT is what is going to make South Africa a better place to live in.