Mandela, of course, achieved an historic feat: causing the transition of his country from a white-minority-led government to a proper democracy. He protested against the system of the time and, as a result, was imprisoned by the government for 27 years for his 'crimes', during which time he suffered incredible hardships. He became the symbol of all those fighting to end apartheid, a symbol who eventually caused the upheaval that allowed him to walk free once more. He then went on to serve for several years as the President of South Africa, endeavouring to ensure that every single person in the country's population, black or white, was treated fairly and accorded the same rights as one another. He remains one of the greatest figures of our time, and he will be missed. But now that he is gone, it is inevitable that a single question will be raised: how far does South Africa still have to go in order to fully achieve his dream of equality?It is a legitimate query. Mandela may have spearheaded the movement that paved the way for a system built to grant equal rights to all, but that doesn't mean that all that was dreamed has actually happened. Sure, there are far more native South Africans in positions of power than there ever would have been if not for his actions, the black population as a whole is better off, and his story has inspired countless people- and will continue to do so for many generations- but that doesn't explain why so many of the white population still live inside their gated communities, whilst thousands of people still wander around outside with little more than a plastic bag to their name. It hasn't helped all the poor black children still living on the streets or in slums. I know it sounds harsh but, if apartheid had truly been ended, there would be just as many white children out there, sleeping in alleyways and wondering when their next meal would be.
When Mandela started on that 'long walk to freedom' that would eventually land him in the seat of power, his vision of equality for all was just that- a vision. A hope, a pipe-dream, something about which you thought "It'd be good if that happened". And now, so many years later, and despite the many positive changes that have undeniably come about due to his actions, it still has much the same status- although there has been significant progress in dismantling the political and social aspects of apartheid, the wealth gap and mindsets of much of the white minority remain largely unchanged. Bureaucracy, finances and logistics have gotten in the way of a brilliant man's beautiful dream that really should have come to full fruition. And that's terrible.
Nelson Mandela will be remembered as a great humanitarian, a strong and caring leader, and a shining beacon for all those who are oppressed and without hope. Rest In Peace.