Qunu – The late former President Nelson Mandela’s long-time friend and struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada moved many mourners to tears when he paid a poignant tribute to the late statesman, during the State Funeral in Qunu, on Sunday.
“When Walter died, I lost a father, when you died I lost a brother, now I don’t know who to turn to,” said an emotional Kathrada.
The last time he saw Mandela alive was when he visited him in hospital.
“He tightly held my hand …and brought all emotions … Farewell my dear brother, my mentor my leader…I have lost a brother”.
Kathrada and Mandela were both imprisoned on Robben Island for their political views.
“I recall the tall, healthy strong man, the boxer, the prisoner who rigorously exercised every morning. Now the inevitable has happened. He left us to join the ‘A team of the ANC’.
“Together, we shared ideas and walked side by side in the shadow of death”.
He said South Africa was a country that had been blessed by many talented leaders, including Mandela.
“We are deeply grateful to Madiba…we are deeply grateful that dignity has been restored to the people of South Africa, we are deeply grateful to Chapter 9 institutions that jealously guard our Constitution.”
Kathrada called for unity, a non-racist and non-sexist South Africa that Mandela and his generation fought for.
Earlier, the late former President’s nephew Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima said Mandela will rest in peace knowing that he achieved his goal of a united and prosperous South Africa.
“He did what he had and we are proud of his achievements. We thank the people of South Africa for giving him a chance to lead. We thank the government for the dignified service he is afforded here today”.
He further thanked the doctors who had cared for Madiba in his last days. – SAnews.gov.za
