Icon still holds the key to the town

LYDENBURG – The man who still holds the key to the town has passed away.

The former president Nelson Mandela peacefully died at the age of 95 in his home, in the company of his family after a prolonged lung infection. The anti-apartheid leader battled several health issues during the past few months, which led to numerous hospitalisations.

President Zuma said South Africa’s first black president whose reign was from 1994 to 1999, would be accorded a full state funeral. He also ordered flags to be flown at half mast.

What many people did 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 former mayor who presented the key to Mandela, Mr Matthews Phosa along with Gen Constant Viljoen and Mr Mandla Mabelane, recalls that Madiba said that he would only visit the town on one condition, “Gen Constant Viljoen had to be present.”

According to Mabelane, Mandela accepted the invitation citing, “You have arranged an event not only of national importance but that of international significance. The world recognises that our national reconciliation project is a reality hence my acceptance of this invitation.”

He was the first black South African to hold the office, and the first democratically 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.

He would certainly also be remembered for his wonderful life quotes with inspiring words like, “No one is born hating another person because of the colour 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 words, “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 eternity.”

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.”

DA Cllr Farhad Essack said that it is a tragic loss for the rainbow nation. “Madiba’s humility and bold leadership should be embraced by us a nation and live the tradition of self respect and the uniting of our citizens. We were lucky to have such a great icon.”

Mabelane said this will certainly go down as the saddest moments of this century. “Nelson Mandela was larger than life. No grave will be big 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.”