Mayor reflects on how meeting Madiba changed him
"When you see people of different races working together to build this country, we know this as the legacy of a great man."
Reflecting on the impact Madiba has had in his life, Newcastle’s mayor, Afzul Rehman, offered these words in honour of our nation’s icon:
“The passing away of former President, Nelson Mandela, is a sad day for all South Africans. We have shared this icon with the ANC and the world, and we pray that the spirit of Madiba continues in every one of us.
“His legacy is already made. When you see people of different races working together to build this country, we know this as the legacy of a great man.
“I met Nelson Mandela the first time when he opened the Ekuseni Youth Centre in the 90’s as state president. I was in awe. The humbleness and simplicity that he displayed on that day may have forever shaped me as a person, and indeed he has changed the lives of every single person that he met.
“My message to the people of Newcastle is that we stand together through this difficult period, leaning on each other for support and strength like only South Africa can do in difficult times. The best way to honour him is to continue our nation building for this nation he loved so much.”
