MBOMBELA – Different people from the country and from all over the world have expressed messages of condolences to the family of Nelson Mandela for his death.

Patrick Chamusso said: “We have lost a father as a nation and an African and Worldwide Icon.” He called on the nation to handle this loss in peace and dignity, “Asimhambise ngoxolo, singabi nodlame, umoya awube phansi,” he said.

Chamusso expressed words of condolence to other veterans who were with him and Madiba in prison.

Chief Sipho Khumalo known as Mthayiza 11 of Mpata Clan also sends his condolences to the Madiba family and the nation at large.

He also sends words of appreciation to the work done by Madiba in his time. ”He was the hero. He fought for our freedom, fought for the restoration of our land and he improved the lives of many and today we have land because of him. He taught us the importance of giving and caring for each other, that is why we were able to give furniture to children of Benjamin Primary School.” He called on the nation to emulate Madiba’s lesson and plough back to the nation, especially towards improving the education of children to have a learned nation and learned future leaders.

Pastor Luke Dlamini, the current leader of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Mpumalanga and a member of the South African Council of Churches said Mandela was a born leader and a true soldier for South Africa and the world, who was patriotic and committed to human freedom.

“In remembering him as a country and the world, we must strive for peace and unity in the country and the world and to close the gap between the rich and the poor and by so doing, I think we would have contributed in remembering him,” he said.

He said Madiba was a selflessly committed person who was at the centre of people’s lives. “We also need to commit ourselves towards creating a corrupt-free society. Mandela was committed at heart to embrace people who are affected and infected by HIV/ Aids and we have to further his legacy,”

“He was a man, a legacy that was able to change the world,” he concluded.