Pretoria - Constitution Hill on Friday joined the worldwide chorus of condolences following the passing away of former President Nelson Mandela.
“Constitution Hill would like to pay homage to the former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. We join all South Africans in celebrating the life of this giant, who courageously lived his life to service others,” it said on Friday.
Madiba passed away at his Houghton home in Johannesburg on Thursday night at the age of 95.
“As we mourn his passing, we are reminded of the freedoms we enjoy today and the wealth of memorial sites and living projects we possess as South Africans to keep the legacy alive,” said Chief Executive of Constitution Hill Petal Thring.
Madiba and Constitution Hill have a history that spans over 55 years. It began in 1956 when he was incarcerated in the Awaiting Trial Block for the 1956 Treason Trial as one of the 156 Treason Trialists.
In 1958, Madiba and OR Tambo represented the hundreds of members of the ANC Women’s League that were incarcerated for participating in a march to protest against extending the passes to women.
In 1962 Tata spent two periods - in August and October - incarcerated in the Old Fort, held in a hospital cell. It is this section that today holds a permanent exhibition “Prisoner Working in the Garden” about the life of Madiba.
Madiba revisited the site in 1995 for the Inauguration of the Constitutional Court.
Today, Constitution Hill is home to the Flame of Democracy which was ignited by the late President at his Qunu home in 2012. – SAnews.gov.za
