Cape Town – Despite his passing, South Africa would live on without Madiba, as he was more than an individual soul but rather the exposition of the African spirit of generosity, the dean of St George’s Cathedral Michael Weeder said today during a service to commemorate Nelson Mandela.
During a 9.30am sermon attended by hundreds of people – including Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom, the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements Zou Kota-Fredericks and Agang leader Mamphela Ramphele – Weeder said in the aftermath of Madiba’s death, the country has stood even closer together as people celebrate and mourn his life.
Weeder said Madiba was a product of South Africa’s own spirit.
“He was more than an individual soul, he was (an) exposition of the African spirit of generosity… We, as a people and a nation, in all our generosity have birthed this genius,” said Weeder.
“He is resident in every act of kindness and resolve to achieve in what the late Chris Hani said – that the strength of the new South Africa will be remembered in the distance that the poor and marginalised travel from the periphery to the centre of our society.”
Weeder said Mandela was a person of love and gentle humility who could laugh at himself, and showed what one can do within the limits of humanity.
His qualities – those of humility, purity, generosity and the readiness to serve one’s fellow man – are within reach of every person, he added.
A member of a delegation from Sri Lanka on a visit to South Africa to gain insight into national healing told the congregation that the world was still looking to South Africa for guidance on reconciliation and would continue to look to the country to ensure that it continued to hold hope for all. – SAnews.gov.za
