‘Let us celebrate Madiba’s life’

Residents gathered at Nelson Mandela’s former home in Vilakazi Street in Orlando West last Friday to pay tribute to the former president who died at the age of 95.

Nelson Mandela died in his Houghton home South of Johannesburg at 8: 50 pm on December 5.

Young and old alike only had fond memories of the fallen hero who became South Africa’s first democratically elected president after spending 27 years in prison:

Ernestina Machaka (70) from Orlando East: “After finding out about the death of Nelson Mandela I just could not sleep. He was indeed a great man who led by example and wanted to see all South African’s living in perfect harmony.

Machaka said that her earliest memories of Mandela were when he would pose as a coal worker delivering coal and that is how he spread the ANC’S mission.

“They is so much history that has not been documented about this great man’s life he was truly a true icon,” she said.

Thulani Mhlongo (39) said that this is the day to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life.

“As much as it is a sad day for all South African’s it is also a day to celebrate this wonderful man, let us celebrate his life and also remember to continue his legacy,” he said.

Tshegofatso Lekona (8) said “I came here with my grandmother. She woke us up last night to tell us that Nelson Mandela died. We will miss him and we thank him for all he did for South Africa.

Ward Councillor Themba Msibi: “This is a day of mixed feelings it is a day where we should pay tribute to a true icon, but at the same time it’s a sad day.

“Let us keep his legacy. Nelson Mandela was a man of true honor who fought for what he believed in no matter the cost. I would like to say thankyou to him for all he has done and I would like to thank his family for sharing him with us,” he said.

Nelson Mandela will receive a state funeral at in his home village Qunu in the Eastern Cape.