Requiescat in Pace, IDS
Today it is raining.
Of course: Africa weeps, for she has lost another son.
Black, white, brown, she loves all her children.
Much will be said of my grandfather, but for me, the most fitting tribute I could offer would be to remember him honestly. He is so frequently held as an idealised paragon of patriotic and pioneering determination, of defiance in the face of opposition, a demon who embodied the most iniquitous aspects of European tyranny of the colonies, of resistance to needed change. But he was truly none of those things, for he was not a charicature. He was a man.
For the man whose political opponents critisised as being "too honest to be a politician", let us at least be honest in our recollections, neither glorifying the good nor shunning the flaws. Others will have their own perspectives, but for mine, I knew him as my grandfather.
He was an extraordinary politician. This is not a compliment, but my aim is neither to complement nor to denigrate. He had a gift for putting others at ease, for conveying the impression that they were the most important thing on his mind and he was deeply interested in them. He could also be incredibly stubborn, and certainly could be closed-minded, but when things were not being disputed he would more often be sweet and good-natured.
He had a great love for the land - both in the general sense of Africa, and the specific sense of his farms, and most of his life was dedicated to both of these interpretations.
Above all else he was seldom swayed in his opinions, steadfastly holding true to what he believed in.
Go in peace.
Of course: Africa weeps, for she has lost another son.
Black, white, brown, she loves all her children.
Much will be said of my grandfather, but for me, the most fitting tribute I could offer would be to remember him honestly. He is so frequently held as an idealised paragon of patriotic and pioneering determination, of defiance in the face of opposition, a demon who embodied the most iniquitous aspects of European tyranny of the colonies, of resistance to needed change. But he was truly none of those things, for he was not a charicature. He was a man.
For the man whose political opponents critisised as being "too honest to be a politician", let us at least be honest in our recollections, neither glorifying the good nor shunning the flaws. Others will have their own perspectives, but for mine, I knew him as my grandfather.
He was an extraordinary politician. This is not a compliment, but my aim is neither to complement nor to denigrate. He had a gift for putting others at ease, for conveying the impression that they were the most important thing on his mind and he was deeply interested in them. He could also be incredibly stubborn, and certainly could be closed-minded, but when things were not being disputed he would more often be sweet and good-natured.
He had a great love for the land - both in the general sense of Africa, and the specific sense of his farms, and most of his life was dedicated to both of these interpretations.
Above all else he was seldom swayed in his opinions, steadfastly holding true to what he believed in.
Go in peace.
posted by Sentinel at
8:26 AM
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