Soweto - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe says the country needs to build on the foundations Madiba laid.
“He left us with a task to ensure that South Africa is prosperous, non-racial and non- sexist.”
Speaking at the Grace Bible Church as part of the National Day of Prayer and Reflection on the life of former President Nelson Mandela on Sunday, Motlanthe said he will remember Mandela as a leader who tackled issues after due consideration.
“He personified unity and diversity even while in prison. Through all that he endured, he learned not to hate. Instead he chose to see goodness in every person.”
Motlanthe also said people must take the lesson that nothing is impossible from Madiba’s life. “He taught us that nothing is impossible as long as we have conviction.”
Motlanthe shared with the packed to capacity congregation the history of Mandela from how he met Walter Sisulu to the start of the ANC Youth Langue and his life at Liliesleaf Farm.
“He grew up from humble beginnings in Qunu and went on to make history.”
Motlanthe quoted Mandela who continually said that: “He was not a saint, but a sinner who keeps trying”.
President Jacob Zuma declared a week of national mourning on Friday, saying Sunday will mark a National Day of Prayer and Reflection on Madiba's legacy.
Young and old filled the seats while others watched the service from the monitors from outside the church hall.
Members of the congregation lifted their hands in praise during singing and enthusiastically shouted “Amen” and clapped to video recordings of snippets of Mandela’s famous speeches.
Pastor Musa Sondo has urged the nation to carry on with Madiba's spirit of forgiveness and fighting for human beings and equal rights.
“He lived his life to the fullest, fought for what was right and fought against what was wrong…this is the path every human should strive for in life,” Pastor Sondo said.
Church member Margaret Lukhele, who came with her family of eight for the service, said they could not miss this service.
She said she saw fit for the whole family to attend the service today, as a way to give thanks to the Lord for Madiba’s life.
“We will forever remain proudly South Africans because of tata. He walked the long road back to freedom, made every South African to be free and to live free. He was a humble and truly inspiration to all who knew him personally. He was a man loved by all and his spirit will forever live for future generations.”
A memorial service, which will be held at the FNB stadium on Tuesday, will be attended by several high profile heads of state, including US President Barack Obama and former Presidents George W Bush and Bill Clinton.
UN Chief Ban Ki Moon will also travel to the country to attend the memorial on Tuesday.
Madiba will be laid to rest next Sunday at his home village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape. - SAnews.gov.za
