The M Plan-in Honour of Nelson Mandela

Most South Africans have rightly mourned and celebrated the life of our own son of the soil, an icon and a symbol of resistance against oppression and exploitation and of justice, peace and truth, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. While I would never presume to speak for him, I like to imagine that his wry sense of humour is still serving him well now as he looks upon all those who condemned him as a terrorist, a criminal and used many other unfounded characterisations of him to try to undermine the struggle he was so proudly part of. Thankfully, his life is an example that has given every racist, xenophobe, homophobe, misogynists, every exploiter and every oppressor a second chance. This chance is one that comes with the incredible outpouring of joy, admiration, love and respect that has been bestowed upon Madiba.

Madiba was many things, but he was a political activist first. He was famous for launching the M Plan-a strategy to win freedom and democracy in South Africa, house by house, street by street, and in every neighbourhood, village, town and city, until South Africa was free from apartheid, oppression and exploitation. He also understood his duty as a Pan-Africanist and as a citizen of the world.

So, before everybody thinks that all the nice things they say about Mandela are enough of a way to honour him, I want to make a proposal and give a challenge. This will be our M Plan, in honour of Mandela. It is 5 simple things we can all do every day to ensure we consolidate our democracy and win freedom and justice for those who don't have it.

It goes like this

1. Everyday, we must work on ourselves and improve ourselves as human beings. We must treat those around us; family, friends, colleagues and even opponents, as Mandela did, with respect and with humanity and compassion. I know I have a great deal to improve myself; as a father, a brother, a son, a friend and a comrade.

2. Everyday, we must do something to improve our community, the place where we live. Fix up a school, clean the street, strengthen the Community Policing Forum-there is so much to do in solidarity with our neighbours. This will build a better place for all of us, where we live.

3. Take up an issue or a challenge facing South Africa. Instead of just complaining about corruption, crime, the lack of skills or unemployment, make an effort to defeat the challenge or to create an opportunity.

4. Extend our solidarity to Africa. If we can't all go to Africa, we all have someone living near us who is an African. Make friends with them, support them against xenophobia, and make them feel at home.

5. Take up an issue that will change the world. Mandela thought big. He had vision. Lets defeat child labour, slavery, national oppression and all the other ills that exist. Lets work to save our planet from environmental degradation, even if we start in our own home.

For me, this is what Mandela stood for-social and political justice for all. The least we can do in his memory is to take up the struggle on his behalf and on behalf of all the Mandelas, van der Merwes, Smiths, Septembers, etc.-on behalf of all South Africans, all Africans and all of humanity. Lets do that for Mandela.

I will set up a website for everybody to post what they have done. In the meantime, lets get on with making Mandela's legacy a living one.

Phillip Dexter

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