The life and legacy of Nelson Mandela have been celebrated across the world since his passing on December 5th. This celebration continued on Thursday afternoon in a ceremony at Ryerson University. The university community gathered to remember his achievements, and more specifically, his visit to Toronto in 2001. During that visit he became Canada’s first honourary citizen, and also received an honourary degree from Ryerson along with his wife, Graça Machel.
Tselane Mokuena, Consul-General of the Republic of South Africa in Canada, addresses the audience at Ryerson University.
Mandela’s effect upon the community was evident in this ceremony, which overflowed with emotion, admiration, and mournful remembrance. University leaders reflected on this man, who helped to end apartheid and establish democracy in South Africa during the early 1990s. Some speakers used more than words to express their loss.
Tselane Mokuena, the Consul-General of the Republic of South Africa in Canada, led the audience in traditional South African songs written about Mandela. A group of Ryerson students performed an evocative, choreographed dance inspired by his powerful memory.
Although this man held office in a country thousands of miles away, his life bears an incomparable significance for many Canadians. Doctor Anver Saloojee, a professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration, was moved to tears during his recollection of Mandela’s life, asking, “What will we do now that the soul of national reconciliation is dead?”
A group of Ryerson students dance in memory of Nelson Mandela.
Several of Thursday’s speakers attempted to answer this question. What will the next generation do to continue Mandela’s legacy of making the world a better place? For many, the answer was education. Mandela said that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” By educating ourselves we can further understand the mistakes we have made, and come closer to understanding the plight of others. This empathy will help us in eliminating the evils of the world. Mandela believed that poverty was one of the underlying causes of human suffering and conflict, and that it should therefore take priority as one of the evils that must be eradicated. Dr. Saloojee reminded the audience that we must approach these global problems as a community, not as individuals, keeping in mind the importance of inclusion, respect, and selflessness.
One young Ryerson alumna, Alannah Codrington, was called upon to close out the ceremony with a song. She sang “Lift Every Voice” in a beautiful a cappella rendition that roused the crowd into one final standing ovation. Many people in my generation might not have many memories of all that Nelson Mandela did for his nation and for the world, except for what they have read in history books or seen on TV. I spoke with Alannah after the ceremony about what Mandela’s legacy means to her.
