The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is humbled by the messages of support it has received from young people across the country who since the start of this week visited NYDA branches to sign their tribute messages following the passing of Tata Madiba.
“We are really humbled by the response from young people who heeded our call to visit our branches across the country where we have made available a number of South African flags for youth who are unable to attend to the various memorial activities taking place across the country to come and write their messages of support on the national flags to the Mandela family,” says NYDA Chairperson Yershen Pillay.
“We are humbled by the response, but importantly by the sincere and awesome messages that the youth of this country have had to say and write about our hero,” he says.
One of the messages from an unnamed young person from Mpumalanga reads: “You have touched our lives in a special way, you made us experience the impossible and taught us that if there is anything to fear in this world is fear itself. We will forever cherish the gift of love, unity & peace you always advocated for. Your legacy will live forever. lala ngoxolo Tata Madiba.”
Another message from Zandre Buys from Johannesburg reads: “Thank you for what you have done for us Tata Madiba; you will always be remembered and I’m glad that I have lived in your era.” Lindiswa from Johannesburg wrote “You are one in a million. I wish we had more time with you. We will always love you tata and miss you. Ulale ngoxolo (rest in peace). You have the whole world proud.”
“Every generation has its mission, its either they fulfill it or betray it, you chose not to betray your mission to usher political freedom. We shall never betray our mission for economic emancipation,” from Vusi Ntuli from Limpopo.
From the Eastern Cape, Princess Faku wrote, “Aah Dalibhunga inkosazana yakwa Faku, uPrincess Faku, nam ndiyakhahlela siyabulela sisisizwe, Sodlomo, ooMadiba, oVelabembhentsele, Sithi ndlelantle, ugqatso ulufezile. (Aah Dalibhunga, I the Princess of Faku I wish to express praise; we are grateful as a nation of Dlomo, Madiba, Velabembhentsele.
We say rest in peace, we have successfully completed the race). While Vuyo Nofemele wrote “Tata thank you for making a brighter future for us, you have made me proud to be a South African. Rest in peace. We are what we are because of you,” wrote Sifiso Qhayiso from KwaZulu Natal.”
The NYDA wishes to encourage more young people to continue to visit the NYDA’s 14 branches across the country and record their tribute messages to the great former statesman. The national flag with youth messages will then be handed over to the Mandela family as an expression of the youth voice towards the passing away of the revered leader. NYDA's 14 branches and sign a tribute message to the great former statesman.
For media enquiries:
Siyabonga Magadla
Cell: 083 686 9016
Email: Siyabonga.magadla@nyda.gov.za
