It is with a deep sense of regret that we learnt about the passing away last night (5 December 2013) of the son of the Eastern Cape and “father of the nation” Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela - an outstanding stalwart of our movement and the world’s foremost political giant.
I join all the people of the world in mourning the loss of a true hero of our nation who dedicated his life to the struggle for all our people.
Although we were aware that Tata’s state of health was not good but indeed we kept hoping that even this time around he was going to pull through as he always did.
Indeed his departure has come as a shock and a heavy blow to all of us.
Tatu Mandela’s lifetime was dedicated to the achievement of South Africa`s liberation. Throughout, Madiba demonstrated fortitude in the face of adversity and responded selflessly to the sacrifices demanded of his family.
As people of the Eastern Cape, we loved him so much - we would have been easily tempted to have jealously claimed him as our own, but we recognised that his towering stature as a symbol of freedom and peace transcended the rural boundaries of Qunu, his birth place, into the world for the benefit of all human kind.
Madiba had a steely sense of service to his people. We will always remember his love for the downtrodden in our country and the world over. His faith in humanity and its potential; and hope for a better world was unparralled.
One of his outstanding achievements during his Presidency was his commitment to nation building and reconciliation. Our generation stands proud as direct beneficiaries of his vision and leadership.
Tatu Mandela will always be remembered as an unequalled leader and statesman in the world. He was in a league of his own, an international icon of a quintessential stature – possessing very rare skills and capabilities of combining humility, brilliance, boardroom skills and military prowess.
Tatu Madiba was well loved all over the world by both the poor and the rich, by the young and old, by blacks or whites, by Africans or Europeans, by Asians or Latin American. He was everything to all people. Indeed he deserved to get recognition of an international icon.
We the people of the Eastern Cape salute the sacrifices made by Madiba, his family and his generation for what they endured for us to enjoy democracy and freedom.
Without their sacrifices our country would not have achieved the strides it has made in the two decades of freedom.
I would like to appeal to all South African in particular people of the Eastern Cape that the ultimate debt we owe Madiba in exchange of his life is selfless service to public life. We must commit to uphold his legacy and the ideals he cherished.
At this moment of grief and mourning our sincere condolences go to the Mandela, relatives, friends and the entire ANC family.
We are grateful to the ANC for nurturing him and affording the nation and the world to tap on the leadership qualities he possessed.
I urge all the people of the Eastern Cape in their individual and organisational capacity to continue mourning during this difficult time in our nation.
Hamba kakuhle Madiba Omde.
