Symbolism

Symbolism has a part in our psyche, it represents certain values that we, as part of any society hold to be part of the foundations of who we think we are. 

The pageant of laying Mandela to rest is drawing to its final chapter as we watch the huge military transport plane carrying his body to the Eastern Cape. 

Leaving behind the modern western world in the Transvaal, it will arrive in Umtata and then by road to the village of Kunu. This is the contrast of the modern against the old traditional homeland with its tribal customs, largely held by the elderly with their beliefs of an after world and the importance of according the spirits their respect. 

The young reporter who is reporting on the events in the Eastern Cape for Al Jazeera, the middle east media channel was resiliently supportive of the tribal way of life, describing the importance of the link between the youth and the elders, the elders teaching and reminding the youngsters of their responsibility to uphold the belief and tradition of past generations. 

Like a stone worn smooth by the influence of time, older societies have a lot to tell us and warn us of the dangers of loosing our link with the past. Experience has the value of revealing the good and the bad by the evidence of the result. Too often we choose a course of action by looking at what we expect the end result to be, not mindful that things often don't turn out as we would expect with a spin off which can be disastrous. Children learn from their elders before discarding the lessons to follow their peers and the manipulative industries (cometh the ad'man) which to our shame we all fall foul but, over time the old values re-emerge.The ANC under the influence of Zuma have not extended the opportunity, usually given in an African  burial ceremony to welcome anyone who wishes to make the journey. This is particularly hurtful to the local tribesman who can't understand the fact that Prince Charles will be there but not Joshua Nicobie from the village. 

How the "great and the good" squeeze us out in all manner of ways throughout our lives, even in death. 

I see that Bishop Tutu has also been excluded.   His opposition to the ANC particularly to Zuma has produced the backlash but the slight to Tutu has caused many to think about the kleptocracy that has grown from the ideals that Mandela spent 27 years in prison for.