A tribute to Mandela at Lakeside
A few Benoni residents gathered at the Lakeside Mall boat deck to watch the live memorial service broadcast of former South African President Nelson Mandela, on December 10.
Rose Apicella Chadayan was at the live broadcast. She owned Rose’s Pre-School and Day Care Centre, which was opposite Luthuli House, during the ’90s.
“Every day, in the morning, all the children and I would look through the window when he was driving past, and we would smile and and he would do the same,” she said.
She finally got to meet him at Luthuli House in 1997.
Chadayan has a number of pictures with Madiba, even one with her sitting in his chair.
“I remember it like it was yesterday; as soon as I walked in he hugged me,” she said.
She added that Madiba’s death was a great loss to the entire country, and she would always remember his words, to keep loving and caring for one another.
Lebo Tumahole said: “Madiba’s death has not yet sunk in.
“He has done a lot for South Africans; he is irreplaceable and will be missed by all.”
Amstrong Sekoati said: “I am saddened by his passing; I, for one, did not expect him to die so soon.
