Today I am honouring the life and legacy of the iconic Nelson Mandela with a poem titled "The Magic of Madiba. As boy growing up in Kingston, Jamaica I became aware of Nelson Mandela's imprisonment and the oppressive apartheid regime in South Africa through reggae music. As a high school and university student and youth leader advocated for the freedom of Nelson Mandela and freedom of black South African from apartheid. Nelson Mandela showed me the true meaning of humility and grace.

1. This is my tribute to the life and legacy of to the iconic Nelson Mandela, my idol.
The Magic of Madiba
My Madiba, your Madiba
Hail my Madida
Hail your Madiba
Hail the world’s Madiba
Hail Nelson Mandela
For your militant stance against white domination
You were imprisoned for 27 years
With dignity you sacrificed your freedom
For the freedom of South Arica from apartheid
Spending 18 years on RobbenIsland confined to a small cell
Your influential and courage set the world on fire
To free South Africa from apartheid
The magic of Madiba
Your unbending will set South Africa free
Freed from prison on February 11, 1990
Youbecame president ofa free and democratic South Africa
Youshowed us and the world all things are possible
And showedus how to live in peace and harmony
You showed us how to forgive
Even those who gave you the floor for a bed
The magic of Madiba
Where others would have held hate you showed love
Rather than recrimination you led peace and reconciliation
And even stood against black domination
With a bit of humour and imperfections
You showed us the richness of humanity
And became an inspiration for all to see
And a symbol of hope for the world
The magic of Madiba
My Madiba, your Madiba
Hail my Madida
Hail your Madiba
Hail the world’s Madiba
Hail Nelson Mandela

2. Mark McKenzie is a leading Subject Matter Expert in financial services regulation and supervision as well
as a professional motivational speaker, corporate trainer and youth mentor. He can be contacted by
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