Nelson Mandela”.
He acknowledged: “It has been a difficult period for our country,
for Africa and for our friends all over the world.
“The official mourning period came to an end last night at
midnight and the national flag has been raised at all posts.”
Our greatest sorrow
Zuma referred to Mandela’s death as “the moment of our greatest
sorrow as the rainbow nation”. But he urged: “There should now
be no more tears. We must celebrate Madiba and take forward
his legacy. He should live in our hearts and inspire us to do
something good every single day, to honour his memory. In that
way, the pain of his passing will be eased every single day.”
It was befitting that on the day the country marked national
reconciliation, it recommitted itself to peace, forgiveness,
tolerance and reconciliation – all the values of the presidency of
Madiba – with the unveiling of the statue.
“Under his leadership, the national Day of Reconciliation
became a symbol of our collective victory over our divided past
as a nation. We made a conscious decision to work for national
unity and reconciliation.
“It is therefore, of great historical significance that we are
marking National Reconciliation Day 2013 by officially unveiling
the nine metre statue of Madiba, the man who encouraged us to
look beyond our differences and become one nation, united in
our diversity,” said Zuma.
South Africans commemorate the Day of Reconciliation on 16
December annually. During these celebrations, citizens are
encouraged to remember the sacrifices that thousands made
so that the country could be free and people can live in peace
and prosperity.
“In his humility, Madiba left it to the South African people to
celebrate his life and legacy and to decide how he should be
remembered,” said Zuma, quoting Mandela:
“It would be very egotistical of me to say how I would like to be
remembered. I’d leave that entirely to South Africans. I would
just like a simple stone on which is written, ‘Mandela’.”
Fitting tribute
This new statue at the Union Buildings is a fitting tribute to the
contribution Madiba made to South Africa and the world.
“The Madiba monument will not merely enhance the attraction
and gravitas of the Union Buildings as a national heritage site,”
said Zuma. “It will also remind the nation daily about the values
of unity, reconciliation, compassion and Ubuntu.
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