The Nelson Mandela Foundation today, 13 December 2013, hosted a public screening of a digital conversation about the late Nelson Mandela.Presented by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, and delivered via Google Hangout, the dialogue took place between His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Reverend Mpho Tutu, member of The Elders and former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson and Sir Richard Branson, renowned entrepreneur and friend of the Foundation.
Archbishop Tutu speaks about a man “who cared for everybody”
“We have seen the outpouring of love and admiration from so many people in our country, an action reminiscent of April 1994, when people lined up at polling stations across the country to vote. Madiba was a man who cared, he cared about us. He helped our country not go up in flames by his extraordinary magnanimity and by urging his people to forgive and work for reconciliation. The things that he did as President, and after stepping down as President, paved the way for peace.”
Dalai Lama on Mandela’s ability to forgive
“The basic nature of human beings is to forgive. Our life starts from the mother’s womb, and then we grow up on mother’s milk. The affection of the mother is passed on to the child. Every being, even animals, who has received affection from their mother, has the ability to show affection to others. Nelson Mandela, a great person, on top of his natural affection, also practiced religion. And these inner values of compassion and forgiveness he carried throughout the struggle – his main strength came from his belief, his faith. Like Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King – these great human beings – followed freedom struggle through non-violence. To his followers, his admirers, our responsibility now is to follow his same footsteps. We are very sad, but sadness is not much use. We must translate it into willpower and determination.”
Archbishop Tutu on Mandela’s deep reverence for others
“It was quite overwhelming to be in his presence. Mandela and His Holiness (the Dalai Lama) are the only two non-pop stars who can fill Central Park. When I saw Madiba, from the very first moment, I was aware of an aura that surrounded him – it was his special care for people. After spending his first night at Bishop’s Court, the following morning one of the first things he did was to thank the staff at Bishop’s Court – underscoring something that was so characteristic of him – his deep reverence for others. At state banquets he always went into the kitchen to say thank you to the staff for having done what they did.”
Mary Robinson on continuing the legacy of Nelson Mandela
“Even before we formed The Elders, whenever we spoke with Nelson Mandela, we felt charged with responsibility to do whatever we could to try and curb injustice. Today we still carry this responsibility.”
Sir Richard Branson on continuing the work
“The Elders – a group of people with high moral authority – were established so they could speak out on global issues and say those difficult things that need to be said. There are still many issues facing the world, his work can continue for years to come.”
Archbishop Tutu on disagreements with Nelson Mandela
“He didn't like getting my advice, yet he was incredibly humble. I told him he was setting a very bad example when he and Mam Graça moved in together – and so he went to get married!
“When I told him his shirts look like pyjamas, he said to me “well, who can listen to a man who wears a dress?”
“We are a rainbow nation, and we really ought to carry on the legacy he has left us of being an embodiment of reconciliation, magnanimity and forgiveness. No one must be left behind, we are a country where each and every one of us can make a difference, where we all matter.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama in keeping Mandela’s spirit alive
“When you look across history, when human beings encounter difficulties – on a personal or national level – most use force, with counter-productive results.
The long-lasting solution is to compassionately approach difficulties, to conquer the mind, and remove hatred. Via this approach, hatred will eventually become love. Now is the time to think about the value of non-violence in general and the value of forgiveness in particular – in that way you can build a new atmosphere and counteract this negative feeling of revenge.”