Tata Nelson Mandela guided South Africa from the shame of
racialist nationalism to the values of equality, reconciliation, unity,
respect, integrity and democracy.
He became an icon for forgiveness, for wisdom in spite of
a legacy of injustice, for respect in spite of persecution and the embodiment of
a vision of peace and concern for others and deep distress over the plight of the
poor. He believed in the future of the children of the beloved country and hold
us all accountable to give them hope that education with integrity will guide
them to reach their full potential and deliver them from perpetual poverty!
"The time for the healing of the wounds has come.
The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come," Mandela said in
his acceptance speech on becoming South Africa's first democratically elected president
in 1994.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July 1918,
destined to be a leader for the rest of his life, showing the way from slavery
and inequality, through the wilderness of war and hatred, to justice, progress
and dignity for all.
Tata Mandela prevented a racial explosion after the
murder of popular leader Chris Hani by a right wing assassin in 1993, appealing
for calm in a national television address. That same year, he was awarded the
Nobel Peace Prize.
His inauguration as President of the Republic on May 10,
1994, was a celebration of a nation’s freedom. He made reconciliation the theme
of his presidency. He made friends with his former jailers and won over the skeptics
when he put on the jersey of South Africa's national rugby team - once a symbol
of segregation and discrimination - at the final of the Rugby World Cup in 1995
at Johannesburg's Ellis Park stadium.
The trademark of Mandela's vision for South Africa and
his mission as the leader and father of a nation was the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission which investigated apartheid crimes on both sides and
tried to heal the wounds. It also provided a model for other countries torn by
civil strife.
"I leave it to the public to decide how they should
remember me," he said on South African television before his retirement. "But
I should like to be remembered as an ordinary South African who together with
others has made his humble contribution."
We will remember you for your wisdom, uprightness, leadership
and profound vision of unity and respectful, caring co-existence and prosperity.
May Madiba’s values, founded on the transforming power of
forgiveness, reconciliation, respect, redress, sharing, development and hope,
live on to guide us to a peaceful and prosperous future as a unified nation
that will find our destiny in Africa and in the world.
Hamba kahle tata Madiba!
May your peace become the peace of our nation.
Hamba kahle!
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