Father and father figures

Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
Learning Curve: Perspective
New Sunday Times - 23-06-2013

I HAD my share of best wishes for being "an incredible dad" last week. Mine was printed on a specially designed card but I spotted a hotel stage with a backdrop that read "Superdad" fashioned after the Superman logo.

Fathers are grateful that their children look up to them as parents and they are celebrated at least once a year, though perhaps at times in somewhat exaggerated ways!

But sometimes we feel rather helpless that we can do only so much for Superdads.

For several weeks now, my dad has not been well with a back pain that turned out to be a weakening of part of the vertebrate.

At his age (88 years old in two weeks' time), it is something that the family worries about.

His condition seems to have improved now that he is resting in bed, attended to by a full-time carer.

The pain is gone and he is able to move, and hopefully will assume the role of Superdad again.

It seems only yesterday that dad was very active in his many duties as an educator and nazir of the mosque of the local community, coupled with his meticulous habit of keeping everything spick and span. His automobile is always shiny and his writing table is kept in a very orderly manner, putting many of us to shame. Dad was brought up based on strict discipline.

He used to be Superdad taking up roles that were beyond his call of duty with patience and perseverance, and in the most honest and sincere way.

His motto remains simple -- do not expect anything in return for what you do for the well-being of others. Do your best for everyone. Such a mantra is not common nowadays when everything seems to have a price tag.

And only those who can afford it will be served.

As an educator for almost his entire career, many remember Cikgu Razak (as he preferred to be called) as one who is totally committed to his work, be it scouting, community services or his vocation as a humble cikgu (teacher).

To him, being a cikgu is all encompassing -- anytime, anywhere -- long before it became a cliché in the digital world.

Once a cikgu, always a cikgu. I would not be surprised that to many of his pupils, he is also Superdad since the line that separates the role of a father and a teacher is indeed very thin. In turn, each pupil is often regarded as a child. The word ayahanda in some of the letters and greetings addressed to him says it all.

In the same way, Nelson Mandela is Superdad to many of us, especially to those who believe in the fight for "freedom". At 94, he has been hospitalised for a recurring lung infection.

In the latest news, South Africa's president Jacob Zuma says that Madiba -- as Mandela is fondly known to his clan -- is seeing sustained improvements.

We gladly join Zuma's call when speaking at a South Africa Youth Day celebration to wish Mandela a Happy Fathers Day! Indeed the world is holding a vigil for him to get better.

This is in stark contrast to the days when the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was convinced that Mandela was a "terrorist". Even after his release from prison, a member of her party was quoted as saying: "Unfortunately, I do still regard him as an ex-terrorist". Thatcher insisted that only those who lived in "cloud cuckoo land" believed that Mandela's political party would govern South Africa.

But today, Mandela, with his inherent charm and humility, has captured the hearts of many, regardless of generation. He has even forgiven those who called him names and dubbed him a "terrorist".

For Superdads who are recuperating from illnesses, we offer our prayers for a speedy recovery. And we hope that you will be around for a long time to continue to inspire us as we muddle through these difficult times. You also have been through a long period of uncertainty and came out spiritually unscathed to lead as father figures.

We cannot thank you all enough! Have a blessed life.

- The writer is the vice-chancellor of the Albukhary International University