THE MANDELA SAGA

As Nelson Mandela fights for his life it almost seems like his family is fighting to see who can get more attention. Nelson Mandela's grandson accused his brother of fathering a child with his ex wife during an illicit affair. While no one knows if this is true or not, I would venture to say it's not really the time to make claims of that nature. The Mandela family is not just a public family but it's the family of a figure that stands out for landmark achievements. For someone to go ahead and start a family feud during this period is an act of ignorance. I understand that Mandela's grandson is angered but still, is this the right time?

Chances are Mandela will not last much longer and it would be a shame if this is the last thing remembered as one of the world's great leaders fades away. The legacy of Nelson Mandela needs to be respected and not tarnished, let alone by his own family. I hope his grandson tries to put this soap opera aside for the time being and shows his grandfather's legacy the proper respect that it deserves.

MADIBA

Chances are likely that the 94 year old former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela will not survive much longer. It's been reported that he can no longer breathe without assistance and more than likely his family will have to make a decision. Mandela is in critical condition even though he shows some signs of improvement.

I think it's admirable that Mandela is still showing a warrior spirit at his age and in a twilight period of his life. Mandela served 27 years in prison for fighting oppression from a minority rule. Mandela, a successful attorney, could have walked away and done something else but chose not to. Nelson Mandela is the kind of person that you may not agree with often, but you must respect him.

There will likely never be another individual that's willing to give up as much in his life and still fight on. Nelson Mandela is proving, even today, why he was designed to be great. If racism has taken a back seat and the ridiculous idea of separation is no longer a nasty reality we have to deal with, we owe it in part to him. Mandela is all but gone, but he merits respect and admiration even from history marks that think they know everything. Go on Madiba, raise your hand one last time and show us what a real winner looks like.

MANDELA

When you are a 9 year old kid whatever history you know is usually limited to what you are taught in school or random places. The first time I heard of Nelson Mandela was after I saw the mini series about his life. Sometime later, about two years, I witnessed a landmark moment in world history. In 1990 Nelson Mandela was released after serving 27 years in prison. What I found interesting about his release was the kind of response that it brought.

I began to really understand the greatness of this man in terms of what he meant by the number of people and their reactions. I watched my parents and they both cried tears of joy. Mandela was 72 years of age upon his release and looked like a man that was tired but willing to fight. Mandela wore a gray suit with a red tie and his hair was white. Mandela was the man that went to prison for trying to do away with apartheid. During his period of incarceration Mandela went from being a rumored terrorist to a legend.

Mandela's struggle was against an unfair minority rule that often times reserved high privilege for whites while oppressing the minority. Figures like Peter Biko emerged during the struggle but perished, while Mandela endured until finally he would make history again. In 1994 Mandela would be elected President at age 75. Mandela's election would be a sign that the climate was changing in South Africa.

I remember being a 14 year old kid and following that election thing that at his age Mandela would have a hard time winning, the ignorance of youth. While Mandela would remain a polarizing figure he would often times ruffle feathers on the world stage be being honest and unapologetic. Today Mandela is in a hospital at age 94 and in serious condition. Mandela could die or he could live to be 100. In the end nothing will change the fact that he was the type of figure that comes around once in a lifetime. There will never be another one like him and because of his sacrifices not many, if any, will have to endure what he did.

THE PISTORIUS EXCUSE

Over the last few days I've been following the tragic death of the beautiful Reeva Steenkamp and I have to say that every time I see some news story with background or a new development it really breaks my heart. I don't know much about Oscar Pistorius outside of his inspiring achievements as an athlete. Pistorius seemed to have the world at his feet given his incredible athletic ability in spite of his very serious handicap.

The death of his girlfriend comes as a shock especially given the circumstances. Pistorius stated that he thought a burglar had snuck into his home and he went to confront said burglar. The story Pistorius is trying to tell sounds like a defense crafted pack as opposed to the real truth. I know that the crime stats in South Africa are staggering but Pistorius said that he yelled at the "intruder" in the bathroom. If he yelled I doubt that his girlfriend did not hear him well enough to yell back. I also fail to see how after the first shot landed his girlfriend did not let out a yell in pain and horror.

Reeva Steenkamp was still alive when he "realized" she was in the bathroom. I am sure Pistorius feels horribly about what happened but that won't change the fact that a beautiful girl with a promising future is now dead. It's been rumored that steroids were found on hand so of course everyone will likely point at a steroid rage incident but I think there may be more to the story. I won't speculate because it's not in my nature to do so. There are still some things that don't make sense like the bloody bat.

I am wondering what the bloody cricket bat will reveal when tested by forensics. I don't know honestly if the bat has been tested yet or what the fate of that development has been as of yet. Time will tell what really happened through the process of a trial but something tells me that there will always be something missing that only Pistorius and the late Reeva Steenkamp know. In the end this is a tragic event that will forever be remembered as definition of Oscar Pistorius.