Since the passing of the great Nelson Mandela on Thursday there have been a great many tributes from around the world, and a series of fascinating articles around the web, stories from people that knew him, and tales of his past.
When I lived in South Africa a few years ago, I took an interest in the history, seeking out a tour of Soweto run by the locals, which was far more in depth than the general tourist 2 hour tour (although I did pass on the mopane worms), and this included a tour of the Mandela house when he went to prison, as well as passing both his and Winnie’s new houses in Houghton and Soweto respectively. I also got to visit Robben Island, although I was a bit distressed at how fast we were propelled through it, I like to explore my history at slightly slower than warp speed!
Anyway, in amongst the fascinating articles there were some that were frankly… random. There was the round up of streets in the UK bearing his name (did you know that almost 1/3 of all the streets in the world named after him are in the UK?), examining how worthy they were. I’d like to think Nelson Mandela Square in Glasgow fared okay, but they were rather focussed on obscure English locations, like the road to Costco in Gateshead. Then there the striking Dunne’s workers in Dublin who refused to handle goods from South Africa during apartheid that would be attending the funeral. These ladies took a great stand, but I’m sure they weren’t the only people to have done so!
The best of the oddities though? That was the announcement that he was a ‘Batik fashion icon’. Yep, forget all the good works freeing South Africa from apartheid, it was his role in elevating batik clothing that really makes him stand apart. Wearing it everywhere from the UN General Assembly to a meeting with Bill Clinton, the Indonesians remember him most for highlighting their national traditional fabric. Well okay, long time political campaigner, revolutionary, world leader and fashion icon it is then…
I guess some people think it's not about what you do but how you look on the day. 3 cheers for Nelson Mandela for doing great things And being a fashion icon!!
I enjoyed listening to some wonderful recollections on 5 live this morning. A special man – and not just for his love of Batiks! Juliex
I suppose it goes with the territory of being a world icon- every aspect of his life has been dissected down to the last detail. If only more political leaders had his wonderful combination of political nouse, capacity for forgiveness and interest in everyone
I'm happy to quilt with batiks but I stay away from wearing them in case I end up hanging out with Scary Spice! Mandela was a braver man than I (and not just for that 😉 )
I read that bit about him too. Unfortunately that doesn't change how I feel about batik!
A great,, great man, with poor taste in shirts, that is how Desmond Tutu described him.
another reason to love and respect this great man
You have taken random to new levels.
So true! This is valuable random I think. 🙂
And all this random was handed to you!!!!
Sounds like you have an interesting tour.