Build on Mandela’s foundations: Motlanthe
Nelson Mandela personified unity and diversity says deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe.
DEPUTY President Kgalema Motlanthe says the country needs to build on the foundations Madiba laid. “He left us with a task to ensure that South Africa is prosperous, non-racial and non- sexist.”
Speaking at the Grace Bible Church as part of the National Day of Prayer and Reflection on the life of former President Nelson Mandela on Sunday (8 December), Motlanthe said he will remember Mandela as a leader who tackled issues after due consideration.
“He personified unity and diversity even while in prison. Through all that he endured, he learned not to hate. Instead he chose to see goodness in every person.”
Members of the congregation lifted their hands in praise during singing and enthusiastically shouted “Amen” and clapped to video recordings of snippets of Mandela’s famous speeches.
Pastor Musa Sondo has urged the nation to carry on with Madiba’s spirit of forgiveness and fighting for human beings and equal rights.
“He lived his life to the fullest, fought for what was right and fought against what was wrong…this is the path every human should strive for in life,” Pastor Sondo said.
A memorial service, which will be held at the FNB stadium on Tuesday, will be attended by several high profile heads of state, including US President Barack Obama and former Presidents George W Bush and Bill Clinton.
UN Chief Ban Ki Moon will also travel to the country to attend the memorial on Tuesday. Madiba will be laid to rest next Sunday at his home village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape.
