Fourways community remembers Madiba one year on
FOURWAYS - On the first year anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death many people still fondly refer to him as the father of the nation.
Fourways Review spoke to members of the public about their memories of Madiba.
Pensioner Margaret Dodds remembers feeling a sense of relief when she first heard of Mandela’s passing because he had been suffering with illness for too long.
The impact of Mandela’s passing was also felt across the globe. American citizens Dennis and Jennifer Cramer visiting from Denver, Colorado in the United States said at first they could not believe the news of his passing because the media had given conflicting reports of his death. Dennis said, “He was a man who shaped a nation.”
Micheal Ferger of Fourways said, “I cannot believe it has been a year already. He is still missed and will forever live in memory.”
Cikuru Pacific, a Congolese car guard at the Fourways Mall said, “He was a good person.” Pacific said Mandela made black and whites unite and he didn’t know how the country would continue going forward. He attributed his move from Congo to South Africa partly due to Mandela because as an immigrant he saw freedom in this country.
Twin brothers Alwyn and Jaco Pitout said they anticipated his passing because he was ill for such a lengthy period of time. Jaco said he was alerted of Mandela’s death by social media. Alwyn said he was driving on the N14 when he heard the news on the radio.
Alwyn felt Mandela was the face of reconciliation and the news of his passing was obviously sad. He said despite never having met the global icon, he still felt a connection to him, and hoped those currently in power would uphold Mandela’s legacy.
Mandela dedicated his life to the struggle to end segregation in South Africa and Time magazine named the icon one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.
