“This is a part of a larger effort of connecting our university to our community,” said Alden Craddock, associate professor of education at Maryville University and event moderator. “Not just our local community, but our global community.”
On Wednesday, Maryville University presented “Nelson Mandela’s Legacy of Reconciliation: Lessons for Leading an Inclusive Community.” About 50 people attended the free event held at the Edward Jones Auditorium.
Craddock, who is also associate vice president and director of the center for civic engagement and democracy, spoke of an upcoming trip to South Africa he will take in June with several teachers from throughout the metro area to work in schools as part of a partnership with the Ministry of Education.
The forum featured Linda Biehl, co-founder of the Amy Biehl Foundation Trust in Cape Town, South Africa; and Ntobeko Peni, program manager for the Amy Biehl Foundation Trust.
Peni was a member of the Pan-African Congress and was one of many youths in a mob that bludgeoned and stabbed to death Biehl’s daughter, Amy, in the Guguletu Township near Cape Town more than 20 years ago. Amy was a 26-year-old Stanford University graduate, Fulbright Scholar, and anti-apartheid activist committed to making a difference in South Africa. Peni and three others were convicted and sentenced for their roles in Amy’s death, which he said was not planned. He served five years in prison before he was granted amnesty through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Craddock asked Jacobs what impact he thought the Truth and Reconciliation Commission had on South Africa. Jacobs said it was a platform to vent and brought closure and a platform that gave many people the opportunity to vent. Linda said the commission was South Africa’s approach to restoring harmony and justice within the country.
“You need to know your enemy,” Linda said, paraphrasing a Mandela quote. “You need to work with your enemy.”
Linda embraced Peni at the event and considers him to be a valued friend. The pair now works in tandem promoting non-violence, reconciliation, and restorative justice. Peni said his friendship with Linda and working with the Amy Biehl Foundation Trust, established by Linda and her late husband Peter, has helped him cope with his past. He takes accountability for his actions and has learned to forgive his actions.
“Life comes together in mysterious ways,” Linda said. “We all have our journeys, and we never know where those journeys will lead.”
Manfred Jacobs, communications, club manager and senior correctional officer with the Drakenstein Correctional Services, personally knew Nelson Mandela. Drakenstein Correctional Services is the former Victor Verster Prison where the former South African president was freed after serving a 27 year sentence. He said Madiba taught people to leave the past where it belongs—behind us. Madiba knew, Jacobs said, that if he left prison bitter that he would still be imprisoned.
“You can’t open the door in front of you, if you don’t close the one behind you,” Jacobs said. “We need to bring all people of this rainbow nation,” Jacobs said. “By being different, we can achieve so much as long as we respect one another.
Follow this reporter on Twitter: @BridjesONeil
