In Honor of Nelson Madiba Mandela

Upon entrance into the sanctuary of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Hackensack on Thursday eve Dec. 12^th one knew that something special was taking place as the sounds of African music set a ripe tone to honor the legacy of anti-apartheid leader and former South African President the late Nelson Mandela who died at the age of 95 on Thursday, Dec. 5^th in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The memorial service was the heartfelt idea of the Rev. Gregory J. Jackson who believed that Mandela’s ‘life and struggle in South Africa should be celebrated by all’. Mandela served 27 years in prison fighting apartheid and was elected President of South Africa in 1994.

Yahaya Kamate & Troupe led an African Drum and flag processional announcing the beginning of the memorial service which included a pulsating drum performance by them in the service, the choral praises of the MOBC Choir who were adorned in African attire enriching the special event, video clips of Mandela speaking at the historic Riverside Church in Harlem, NY in 1990 and President Barack Obama speaking at Mandela’s memorial service in South Africa.

   

 

Clergy from all over Bergen County included Rev. Dr. Frances Manning-Fontaine (New Hope Baptist Church), Rev. Dr. Vernon C. Walton (Mt. Calvary Baptist Church), Rev. JoAnn Hilton, Rev. Jonathan Whitfield (Trinity Baptist Church) along with County Executive Kathleen Donovan and Bergen County Freeholder Tracy Silna Zur were all on hand to pay homage to the iconic activist.

“We have to cultivate the new Nelson Mandelas.” Bergen County NAACP President Anthony Cureton stated.

Singing the US National Anthem, The Negro National Anthem and the South African National Anthem, congregants stood in unison. The pursuit of peace has no color. It has no age or class restriction. It has no gender slant and Madiba (the name of Mandela’s tribe) dedicated his life for equality to all. It was a powerful and meaningful service that the community-young & old; black and white-experienced together.

“He is one of the most striking people I have ever seen in my life and watched. I don’t have the ability to do what that man did and I will forever be in his awe. It was an honor to be here tonight.” Donovan remarked.