Nation bids Madiba farewell

Outpours of emotions engulf the globe as the founding father of democracy is laid to rest

Free State ANC chairperson and premier, Ace Magashule, summed up the mood of millions of the province’s residents when he told a packed Christian Revival Church in Bloemfontein auditorium on Wednesday that the late former president, Nelson Mandela’s legacy of peace, reconciliation and non-racialism will live on forever despite his unfortunate passing on.

Magashule was addressing thousands of ANC members and ordinary people of all races who came from all corners of the province to pay an emotional and jovial farewell to Madiba at the memorial service organised by the ruling party in the province.

This was part of the 10-day mourning period declared by president Jacob Zuma on Thursday last week, a few hours after the 95-year-old Mandela succumbed to a recurring lung illness at his Houghton home in Johannesburg. The emotional Magashule, who led the provincial memorial service together with ANC national secretary general, Gwede Mantashe, said Mandela’s spirit will live on in the hearts and minds of millions of South Africans despite his death.

“To me, Nelson Mandela was much more than a revolutionary who fought for a united, non-racial, democratic South Africa. Because my father passed away when I was only three years old, Tata Mandela became a father I did not have.

“Through the tireless efforts of Tata Mandela and other struggle veterans such as Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu who departed before him, we are able to live in a country that belongs to all who live in it, black and white,” said Magashule.

He said he was personally deeply saddened by the passing on of the former president of the first free and democratic South Africa adding that Nobel Peace Prize winner was more than a comrade to him.
“He touched my life and that of many freedom fighters in the most profound way.”

The highly popular Magashule said Mandela had taught him and others to be humble and resolute in the quest to build a non-sexist, non-racist and democratic South Africa.

“This is the legacy that he left for us. We shall continue to strive for the realisation of all the ideals that he lived for and eventually died upholding.”

The premier said he had sent condolences to Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel, and his family on behalf of the people of the Free State.

Magashule pointed out that Mandela was committed to collective leadership and extensive consultation.

“I just do not want us to separate Mandela from the ANC. Mandela emerged from the struggle not prison. A person does not just come out from prison and become a leader. He joined the ANC and cherished the values that the ANC stood for. The commitment to building a united, non-racist, democratic South Africa.”

He lashed out at opportunistic ANC detractors and opposition parties who seek to isolate Mandela from ruling party.
“People are now asking questions like ‘what’s next after Mandela’s death, what will happen to the ANC?’ The ANC was there before he was born; it will continue to be there long after he is gone.”

Mantashe, who concurred with Magashule’s sentiments, paid tribute to Mandela’s family for handing him over to the ANC to mould him into the global icon and fearless freedom fighter that he became.

“We are celebrating, but we are not celebrating his death. We are celebrating the glorious 95 years of his life that was dedicated to fighting for the freedom of his oppressed people. I am saying his people because we are talking about Madiba here,” said Mantashe.

Mantashe challenged young people, especially members of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL), to take a leaf out of Madiba’s book and follow his example of selfless dedication to the greater good of humanity and steadfast discipline. He emphasised that Mandela led the ANC and the country as part of a leadership collective of many other capable leaders of the ruling party.
“He belonged to a special generation of our organisation, the 1944 youth leaguers. More of them led us from 1944 to 1995. Mandela was both a product and a maker of history. He shaped the ANC and the ANC shaped him. This was because he appreciated the values of collective leadership.”

According to Mantashe, Mandela understood that the revolution cannot be individualised and he was a symbol of humility, selflessness, bravery, commitment and sacrifice.

The chairperson of the ANC Veterans League in Free State, Dr. Pule Matjwa, recalled his encounters with Mandela during the apartheid era.
“He took a leading role in keeping peace and calm in the organisation. If it was not because of him, we would have retaliated to the Sharpville and Ilanga massacres. But he ensured that there was calm among Umkhonto We Sizwe soldiers. He has left a legacy of reconciliation. He was disciplined and possessed impeccable negotiating skills.

“He could handle any difficult situation with exceptional finesse. During Codesa, which were negotiations that took place atthe Civic Centre in Johannesburg (after his release from prison), when members the AWB barged into the negotiations, he was the only one who defused the potentially explosive situation and calmed people. He was able to talk to his oppressors when we the hot-headed ones could not,” added Matjwa.
He said he will remember Mandela as a revolutionary who had a deep love for mankind.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions deputy president, Tjotjo James, said it was difficult to accept Madiba’s passing.
“Death has robbed us of a gallant leader who would never betray his people, the struggle and his organisation. We need to make sure we preserve his legacy and unite the organisation,” said James. The Free State legislature’s Speaker, Ouma Tsopo described Mandela as the ‘founding father of democracy whose spirit of greatness’ will live on for a long time.

“He was part of a generation of South Africans who changed the course of history. He epitomised greatness with his spirit of forgiveness. He was a symbol of humility and forgiveness, even though he was a mortal human being like the rest of us.

“He was humble and resolute against injustice and oppression. The values that this great man stood for will never die,” said Tsopo.

For his part, the MEC for education Tate Makgoe, quoted Mandela’s own words when he cautioned that he was not a saint.

“He was a product of the struggle of the 1950s. He did not just walk into the ANC, he was recruited at a time when joining the ANC meant going to jail or getting killed. He was prepared to die for his convictions. He was an activist, a volunteer-in-chief; this is what shaped Nelson Mandela. He was a militant leader,” declared Makgoe.

Speaker after speaker expressed glowing encomiums of Mandela, all with five words in common: discipline, humility, peace maker, militant and courteous.

Meanwhile, thousands of Free State resident from all walks of life clad in ANC colours celebrated the life of fallen anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela, through music and dance.

The event formed part of the province’s 10-day period of mourning for Madiba which was initiated by the president of the country, Jacob Zuma after the passing of the world giant.

Members of the public, who came from all corners of the Free State, hailed Madiba as the father of the nation and the man who fought for equal rights of all South Africans, regardless of their race and gender.

Diederick De Klerk, who wore a T-shirt bearing a portrait of Nelson Mandela, said he was deeply saddened by the passing of the iconic revolutionary and first black president of a free and democratic South Africa.
De Klerk said he had to come to the provincial memorial service to bid farewell to Madiba who tirelessly fought against racism and promoted peace and reconciliation.

He said he was impressed by the fact that when Mandela came out of prison he did not seek revenge against those who had persecuted him, but instead forgave them and invited his enemies to build a new democratic South Africa.

An eight-year old Sasolburg girl who came to the service with her parent, Palesa Motloung, said she had always wanted to meet Mandela in person after her parents educated her about his contribution to the liberation of South Africa.

The little girl expressed her undying love and appreciation for the old man who had made life easier for her and her generation that was born in a democratic South Africa. She said she wished that Mandela would have lived for a few more years to continue to inspire the nation.

Nancy Mokoena (71) said Mandela was more than just a comrade to her. She said global icon motivated her and her generation never to lose hope of achieving freedom despite the oppressive environment that was pervasive during the apartheid era.

Mokoena said she learnt the values of humility, forgiveness and discipline from Madiba.

On Tuesday evening, members of the ANC provincial executive committee were joined by members of the public in a march to the summit of Naval Hill, which is home to the 6.5 metre-tall statue of Mandela.

Those gathered at the event lit candles in the memory of Mandela as they held a vigil until late into the night. Among them was Magashule, who was accompanied by members of his cabinet.

Mourning and funeral programme

Friday December 13: ANC provinces hold memorial services

Saturday December 14: ANC mourns Mandela at Waterkloof Air base from 7am and then his body departs to Qunu for burial

Sunday December 15: Public viewing area at Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium in Botshabelo (Live link to Qunu, where Mandela will be laid to rest)