Ten years ago, in December of 2013, South Africa and the world lost a truly great man. Nelson Mandela, activist, leader, political prisoner, first democratically elected president of South Africa and an inspiration to all, passed away at 95 years old. Nevertheless, his legacy lives on.
One of the ways in which his legacy survives is in the celebration of Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July, his birthday, where those willing devote 67 minutes to put Mandela’s values and principles into practice to make a positive impact in their own communities. During my 67 minutes this year, I started to think about what his legacy means to me, how I can live that legacy, and how I can encourage others to do the same.
For me, Mandela’s legacy is one of giving back, but not just about giving back and stopping there. It is a legacy of empowerment, not charity. A legacy of helping people to stand up, so that they can turn around and help those behind them to do the same thing. Though the work we do at Lanham-Love Consulting seeks to create B-BBEE benefit for all, and in doing so, creating a more fair, just society for all South Africans, Mandela Day reminds me of the necessity to do more.
For some, doing more may mean charitable work. It may mean taking the time to donate funds, time and effort to communities and people in need. For me, it means being a leader in the field of black economic empowerment, encouraging others to see the value of empowerment not simply as a ‘handout’, but rather as a hand up. When implemented correctly, B-BBEE supports job creation, global competitiveness, and economic growth. My sincere hope is to be a part of enabling and empowering previously disadvantaged South Africans, whilst opening the eyes of business leadership to the fact that B-BBEE is an investment that has considerable knock-on effects that can change South Africa for the better.
Things are quite scary at the moment, in South Africa and in the world at large. The effects of climate change are becoming more evident, there is considerable tension between global powers, and it can feel that every day brings some fresh disaster. It can feel immensely difficult to keep going, to keep giving, to keep trying when it never seems to get better.
When I begin to feel this way, I am reminded of the famous quote from the Talmud: “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”
I will not abandon this work. I will continue to do my best to live up to the legacy of Nelson Mandela. And I will encourage you to do the same. “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it,” said Nelson Mandela in his autobiography, The Long Walk to Freedom. “The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Mandela encouraged us to work together to achieve great things, and I hope to lead by example is this respect.
For assistance with your empowerment ambitions, speak to the experts at Lanham-Love Consulting. We aim to engage, enlighten and enable, and empower others to do the same.