By Darlene
Donloe
Nelson
Mandela. The name alone commands
respect.
The world is
mourning the death of Mandela, the former President of South Africa, who was a revered humanitarian, a freedom fighter, an anti-apartheid icon, a
father of modern South Africa and a giant of history.
Singer Jonathan
Butler, who hails from South Africa was as devastated as the rest of the world upon
learning of the passing of a man who sought to bring peace to
the world.
I recently
caught up with Butler, who speaks candidly and from the heart about Mandela’s legacy and what he meant to him
personally.
NELSON MANDELA
DD: It must be hard to talk about the
death of Nelson Mandela.
JB: I tell you
what, my heart and my prayers and my spirit goes out to my country. I feel my
faith and my hope and my love for me country. It’s stronger today because of
Mandela. It’s stronger because of the light this man was. It was expected, but
I think we’re all very sad. It’s huge. We are better people because of his
ability to think inclusively instead of coming out of prison wanting
reparations. Instead, he wanted reconciliation and a country that flourished as
a democratic nation. He was a human being that transcended color. I’m deeply
saddened.
DD: I’m sure you
wanted to be at the memorial.
JB: I wanted to be
there, but I’m on tour.
DD: Had you
personally met Mr. Mandela?
JB: I met him on
several occasions. I met him with Prince Charles. I also met him
intimately. I was able to sing Amazing Grace on his 93 or 94 birthday.
It was a star-studded room. It was a bitter sweet day.
DD: Why?
JB: I had just
buried my mother that Saturday and then in the afternoon I had a private moment
to sing Amazing Grace to Nelson
Mandela. I have deep, deep memories of hearing myself say, ‘Thank you. I love
you.’ That’s all I could say. He said, ‘I love you, too.’ He looked like my
mother, my father and everyone’s grandfather. Nothing makes me more proud than to
have known him.
DD: He was
certainly a man like no other.
JB: Man, think
about it, through the time of 27 years, storms, tornadoes, imprisonment,
persecution, all of those shaped this man’s life. It could have been shaped
sometimes for bad or sometimes for good. His was good. If that doesn’t
encourage anybody, to say I can do better. I know that I don’t have an excuse.
DD: How would
you like your country to respond?
JB: Our country
should now embrace that we have a father of a nation whose behavior was so
exemplary. We should follow that. Lets make our country better.
DD: Tell me what
you felt when you first heard of his passing.
JB: My first
thought was that he was a light. He was with us and among us. He has now joined
the father of lights. He’s in the presence of God. Our country, this man has
put South Africa on the front stage of the world and showed how a world leader can
reconcile your nation through humility, without wanting anything in return –
except freedom.
DD: He wanted
peace for the world. He didn’t care about color.
JB: He had a
whole different mindset for being black and being a human being. You don’t see Christians behaving this
way. A lot of people don’t fan out like that. It’s an amazing thing. I was with
Bill and Hillary Clinton and Mandela’s wife and Quincy Jones, Forest Whitaker
and Clint Eastwood. We all pledged
to support the Nelson Mandela Day. It’s a deep thing.
(Following the success of
Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations in London's Hyde Park in June 2008,
it was decided to celebrate his birthday each year with a day dedicated to his
life's work and that of his charitable organizations, and to ensure his legacy
continues. The Mandela Day campaign message is simple: Mandela gave 67 years of
his life fighting for the rights of humanity. So everyone is asked to give 67
minutes of their time, whether it's supporting their chosen charity or serving
their local community. Mandela Day is a call to action for individuals – for
people everywhere – to take responsibility for changing the world into a better
place, one small step at a time).
DD: I know it’s
sad that he’s gone. But there is also joy that he was here.
JB: The joy that
I feel is that we have great people in the world. He’s one that just shined
bright. We will talk about him like we do Ghandi and Dr. King, as well as our
great ancestors.
Butler is
currently on the Dave Koz Christmas Tour with Koz, Keiko Matsui and Oleta
Adams. He has also released a
holiday CD called, Merry Christmas To You.
http://www.jonathanbutler.com/
