Pretoria - Few people could convey the aspirations, fears and hopes of South Africans as former President Nelson Mandela could, the Banking Association of South Africa said on Friday.
“It is rarely given to a people that they should produce a single person who epitomises their hopes and expresses their common resolve as Nelson Mandela did. In simple language he could convey the aspirations of all South Africans in their magnificent variety; explain their fears and prejudices and sense the feelings of even the most humble,” said managing director of the association, Cas Coovadia.
The former statesman passed away on Thursday night at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg.
President Jacob Zuma, who briefed the country on Madiba’s passing in a televised address, said the nation had lost its greatest son.
The association also announced that all banks will close their head offices, branches and other premises for business on the day Mandela is laid to rest.
Currently Mandela’s body has been moved to the One Military Hospital in Pretoria.
“Banks will communicate with their respective customers on the closures and provide the necessary support to ensure the public has access to basic services,” said Coovadia, who also conveyed the banking sector’s condolences to the Mandela family.
The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) also conveyed its condolences, describing Mandela as an exceptional man whose presence will be sorely missed.
“He led the transformation of South Africa into a free and democratic society that has since become the international standard in constitutional development. As an authoritative statesman, Mandela influenced world events. It is with a mixture of pride and sadness that South Africa takes leave of a truly great man,” said chamber chief executive Neren Rau. – SAnews.gov.za
