Today is the 18th of July and it is Nelson Mandela's birthday. Had he lived to greet it, Tata Madiba (as he is affectionately known by most South Africans) would be ninety-four. It felt very odd writing that last part of the previous sentence. Due to the fact that he was alive for nearly a century, as well as the huge presence he had around the world as well as in South Africa, to be celebrating his birthday in his absence is...new, and I guess we haven't got the blueprint for how to do it, especially with all the mixed emotions that will come up.
However, in South Africa, sadness is always met with joy - and if anyone knows how to party it's us. So hopefully we can honour his day and his memory as he would have wanted us to - with fun, laughter and friendship. I only wish I could be over there myself, but we will light a candle and sing tonight.
Imini emnandi kuwe, imini emnandi kuwe...
We love you, Tata.
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