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Nelson Mandela was throughout his life exposed to the cynical vapors of politics, felt keenly within internal struggles, that occasionally struck the movement to overthrow Apartheid, or via the political necessities of government. His years as an activist, resistance fighter and eventually President made him acutely aware of expediency, corruption, sacrifice and  economic and political  pressures that necessitate a governing authority to abandon principle in favor of national interest. Such factors play a key role in foreign policy and South Africa’s elite cabal have identified central areas of advantage and like other States are engaged in an active appeasement of China’s regime, in the name of commerce and positive relations.

China’s  Vice President Li Yuanchao was afforded a central and prominent position at the memorial for Nelson Mandela, along with world leaders whose governments once branded him as a terrorist, such hypocrisy and political posturing would probably have raised a wry smile on Mr, Mandela’s face. There was no such honor extended to the Tibetan leader, who was barred from attending, and once again South Africa’s government has banned the Dalai Lama, from participating at a Nobel Laureates meeting.

Denied visas on previous occasions by South Africa, notably to attend Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday celebrations in 2011, the Dalai Lama is not welcome and the suited leaders of the Rainbow Nation have it seems forgotten their own history of oppression and denial of human rights. Interesting how the allure of trade with China’s regime induces such amnesia! It is a disgraceful action that highlights the odious nature of real-politic in which those whose currency is tyranny, exploitation and violence are honored while the truly principled and compassionate  are rejected. Shame upon South Africa’s government!