Icon still holds the key to the town
He was the first black South African to hold the office, and the first elected in a fully representative, multiracial election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation.
Lydenburg – The man who still holds the key to the town has passed on.
Beloved former president Nelson Mandela died at his Houghton home in Johannesburg on Thursday, President Jacob Zuma announced.
He was 95.
The former president died peacefully in his home, in the company of his family after a prolonged lung infection, President Zuma said. The anti-apartheid leader battled several health issues in recent months, including a recurring lung infection which led to numerous hospitalizations.
President Zuma said South Africa’s first Black president would be accorded a full state funeral. He also ordered flags to be flown at half-mast.
Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.
He was the first black South African to hold the office, and the first elected in a fully representative, multiracial election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. Politically an African nationalist and democratic socialist, he served as the President of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1991 to 1997. Internationally, Mandela was the Secretary General of the Non-Aligned Movement from 1998 to 1999.
Mandela would certainly also be remembered for his wonderful life quotes with inspiring words like; “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
Even more heartfelt these words about death; “Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.”
What many people do not know is that this world icon also paid a visit to Lydenburg in 1996.
He was then awarded the key to the town, which until today, has not been bestowed upon anyone else.
The mayor of Thaba Chweu municipality, Mr Michael Ncongwane said; “It is a sad day. It’s the loss of a soldier, a person who fought for freedom.”
The former mayor who presented the key to Mandela, Mr. Matthews Phosa, and Gen. Constant Viljoen together, Mr Mandla Mabelane recalls that Mandela said that he would only visit the town on one condition; “Gen Constant Viljoen had to be present.”
Mabelane said this will certainly go down as the saddest moments of this century. “Nelson Mandela was larger than life and much bigger than an elephant. No grave will be big and cosy enough to accommodate him. The world was made much brighter by his presence for he was one of its lodestars. His memory will forever be etched in all of humanity. Rest in peace son of man.”
