The Obituary Walter Sisulu Wrote For Nelson Mandela

Towards the end of his own life, Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela's fellow freedom fighter and friend, wrote this very moving obituary for Mandela. Although, Sisulu died before it could be published, it is, no doubt, a great tribute to Mandela's life and struggles...

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"Thank You For Your Life, My Friend"

By Walter Sisulu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nelson Mandela And Walter Sisulu In 1990

 

As he rests in his eternal sleep, I am certain of one thing: that Madiba's face is enveloped in a gentle, enduring smile. No, not the broad, beaming smile we are accustomed to. Not the one so full of warmth that one felt bathed in sunshine. Rather, the quiet smile, reflective, born out of looking over his life and times; a smile tinged with a hint of mischievousness for having beaten the odds, cheated the hangman and knowing he had helped make South Africa and the world a better place. Overarching his life of struggle, hardship, humiliation, pain and suffering there must be the sense of fulfilment that he has left an indelible footprint in the service of humankind.

His is a life that touched millions not only in South Africa, not only in our continent of Africa, but throughout the world. For the greater part of his life he was a beacon of the struggle.
In his later years he became the symbol of hope. In death he stands confirmed as the embodiment of humanity's hope for the future.

Nelson Mandela: Bill Clinton's Tribute

*Mandela And Clinton (BBC)

Former US President Shares 

Memories About Mandela(BBC)

Nelson Mandela Dies At 95

*Mandela: Time To Say Goodbye

One of the world’s most respected statesmen and former South African President, Nelson Mandela, is dead. He died on Wednesday, December 5, 2013, at about 20.50 pm, surrounded by his family. He was aged 95.

In a broadcast shortly after his death, South African President, Jacob Zuma, announced to South Africans: “Our nation has lost its greatest son; our people have lost a father”

Below Is The Full Text Of Mr. Zuma’s Statement:

“Fellow South Africans. Our beloved Nelson Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation has departed.

“He passed on peacefully. Our people have lost a father. Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss.

“His tireless struggle for freedom, earned him the respect of the world. His humility, his compassion and his humanity earned him their love

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mandela family. To them we owe a debt of gratitude.

“They have sacrificed much and endured much so that our people could be free.

“Our thoughts are with the SA people who today mourn the loss of the one person who more than any other came to embody their sense of a common nationhood.