Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle has challenged people to follow in late former president Nelson Mandela’s footsteps by doing whatever they can to uplift their own communities.
The premier attended the commemoration of the fourth anniversary of Madiba’s passing at the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha yesterday.
Yesterday’s event, which also coincided with the provincial Day of Reconciliation celebrations, was attended by prominent leaders including cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa, rural development and agrarian reform MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane and sport, recreation, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina.
After presiding over the lighting of 100 candles, together with Mandela’s grandson Ndaba Mandela, Masualle helped release 100 white doves into the sky yesterday, saying they were symbolic of Mandela’s love for peace.
Mandela was born on July 18 1918 and would have turned 100 years old next year and several activities have been lined up by government as part of his centenary celebrations in 2018.
Masualle said the iconic former statesman was renowned for his love for children and for education.
He challenged people to do whatever they could to better their own communities, no matter how small the gesture.
“Tata Madiba fought for peace. He epitomised the development of rural communities. It is important for each of us to do the little they can do wherever they are .”
Ndaba said December 5 had always been a significant day because the liberation icon and grandfather was captured by the apartheid forces on that date, and he had also passed away at the age of 95 years. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za