On Mandela Day, on July 18, we will once again join the world in paying tribute to our beloved Nelson Mandela, the father of our nation.
Each one us will be giving 67 minutes of our time to improve the lives of others, just like Madiba gave his life to improve humanity. It is such a privilege to honour a man who exemplifies the best qualities attainable by humankind.
I know all South Africans and indeed the world still morn the loss of our treasured icon, Nelson Mandela.
I still experience a profound sense of loss and sadness when I think that South Africa need the guidance of Tata Madiba now more than ever before. This has been a year of turmoil and turbulence, especially in the rainbow nation created by Nelson Mandela. People such as Penny Sparrow and Matthew Theunissen have cannibalised race relations to an all time low.
This goes against everything that Tata Madiba aimed to build in the new South Africa. The way in which Nelson Mandela unified the oppressor and the oppressed into one nation made him one of South Africa’s most beloved sons and a man respected, admired, loved by people across the world.
Madiba was a moral compass and role model for what every human should aspire to and rose above hate and vengeance to embrace peace and reconciliation. Nelson Mandela’s courage and wisdom should inspire us to develop the capacity to forgive and live together in peace hand harmony.
Tata has redefined the concept of leadership, which I believe our leaders should strive for. He has proved, through his own example, that faith, hope and charity are qualities that are not beyond attainment.
Because of Nelson Mandela, the world is a better place and is working to be a kinder place. I urge every resident to take their 67 minutes on Mandela Day to improve the life of the community of Ekurhuleni, promote race relations and rebuild our rainbow nation. Let us make every day a Madiba Day and create a better and more harmonious life for all.
As a tribute to Madiba I would like to share this quote with you: “The greatest glory in living is not in falling, but in rising every time we fall”.
Let the words of Nelson Mandela guide us all to become passionate about our rainbow nation and lead the way for a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and free society. We live, we lead!
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