Mayor pays tribute to Madiba
Our farewell bid to Nelson Mandela must not be final, we must refuse to say goodbye to his ideals, his vision and the dream he had for this country.
By Zweli Dlamini, the mayoral spokesperson
On the evening of July 18, 1918, a traditional candle was lit as a new son was born in Qunu in the Eastern Cape.
That child was Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
Little did we realise that the light from that candle will touch even the darkest corners of our oppressed nation and that its light would usher hope to the rest of the oppressed people throughout the world.
It is truly an honour and a privilege to join the world in paying tribute to a man who exemplifies the best qualities espoused by humanity.
We know all South Africans and indeed the world join us as we mourn our beloved icon.
A man respected, admired, loved by people across the world as a role model of what morality really means.
He was a giant who taught the rest of the world how to forgive.
Madiba was a statesman who rose above hate and vengeance to embrace peace and reconciliation.
He was a man whose courage, wisdom, visionary leadership and almost unhuman–like capacity to forgive continue to inspire peoples far beyond South Africa.
He was an inspirational human being who redefined the concept of leadership and added that unique Madiba touch to it.
Nelson Mandela proved through his own example that faith, hope and Ubuntu were qualities that define who we are as a people.
His belief and commitment to equality and justice propelled his energy as he steadfastly fought for an end to all forms of oppression in South Africa.
Because of Tata, the world is a better place today, because of him, the world is working to be a kinder place.
Because of him all of us in this country continue on his mission to build a non-sexist, non-racial and democratic South Africa.
Madiba was a man who sacrificed his family so that we could be free.
He spent 27 years incarcerated, not for himself but for all of us.
He was a true father of the nation.
As the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) we join hands with the globe in mourning the passing of the father of our nation.
Our farewell bid to Nelson Mandela must not be final, we must refuse to say goodbye to his ideals, his vision and the dream he had for this country.
Madiba may have passed on but we believe that his spirit will never leave us.
The world has lost a great man and an incredible human being.
Rest in Peace Mthembu. Lala Ngoxolo Madiba.
Your spirit shall continue to shape our lives positively forever.
