Durbanites unite to mourn the loss of an icon

FRIDAY, 6 December was been a dark day in Durban despite the sunshine, as people learned of the passing and mourn the loss of their beloved hero, former president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

Aptly called Black Friday, many ordinary citizens were brought to tears after hearing of the sudden death of the beloved statesman. Some were awoken by social media messages that had spread like wildfire alerting the nation to the news of Madiba’s death at 20.50pm on Thursday night.

Many others awoke to the news and made their way to work with heavy hearts.

Simon Bremner, said it was quite a shock, despite knowing Mandela was very ill. “It has been an emotional morning, what was also shocking was seeing people in their cars reacting to the emotional songs and clips over the radio!” Bremner said although he was just seven years old, when Mandela was inaugurated as president, he was taught the history of the struggle and was amazed to see people come together in grief.

Dumisani Zincume was awoken to the news this morning. “I heard on the radio, we will miss him. He is the only one we would call the Father of our Nation! He fought for our freedom and we will always be thankful to Madiba for giving us our freedom. He has done his job.”

Lingam Govender an eThekwini Security Department Supervisor who works at City Hall photocopied a picture of Mandela and put it on the steps of City Hall along with a handful of marigolds, which is part of Hindu tradition, to garland a photograph after someone has died. “The greatest icon of the world is lost. I just hope his principles and morals live on for generations to come,” the emotional Govender said.

Wiseman Mazeka, also at City Hall smiled and then laughed when he remembered Mandela. “My mother’s sister Winnie Madikizela married him so I have met him. When we used to hear his name in those days we would shiver with excitement. I remember when he was arrested I was about 10 years old and won’t forget it because that was the first time I saw a helicopter,” he said smiling recalling a young Nelson Mandela before he was in Robben Island.

Standing close to the spot where he met Madiba when was was president, Ronnie Degee said, “I waited hours, right here outside City Hall, to meet this great man. He was my hero. I was part of the UDF and would never miss a rally we would go around the country wherever they needed support in bus loads. It is indeed a sad day and a hard loss for us South Africans. Everyone is just sharing condolences and talking about him saying, Our Man is gone,” he said.

Meanwhile eThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo said, “We send our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of our stalwart, former President Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela who was called to rest on Thursday.

“We have a special relationship with Madiba. On 27 April 1994, Tata cast his vote in Ohlange High (Inanda); the home of the founding President of the African National Congress, Dr JL Dube. This was a very significant gesture to us in eThekwini, making our beloved Inanda, the birthplace of democracy.”

On 16 April 1999, Madiba was honoured with the Freedom of the City of Durban.

“Madiba is the embodiment of peace, love and democracy whose life has inspired generations throughout the world. We will continue to walk on his footsteps in promoting and building a truly non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous society,” added Nxumalo.

A vigil paying tribute to Nelson Mandela was held outside City Hall from 4pm on Friday, 6 December.