Cape Town – Parliament has vowed to stay true to the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela, particularly his heritage of unifying South Africans.
This pledge was made by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Nomaindia Mfeketo, at a tribute service to Madiba at St George’s Cathedral, near Parliament, on Friday.
Mandela was admitted to the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital on 8 June for a recurring lung infection. His condition is critical but stable.
In a keynote address, Mfeketo recalled that in his farewell speech as outgoing President, Madiba, had spoken about the multi-party character of Parliament.
On that occasion, he had paid tribute to all parties which, despite political differences, had shown their overriding commitment to the new political order, as well as ensuring that members were not a rubberstamp for government.
Mfeketo said: “These are but some of the principles and practices anchoring the legacy of Madiba as the first democratically-elected President of a free South Africa in our Parliament.
“As your Parliament and as public representatives, we will attend all multi faith prayer services and all the other initiatives in honour of Madiba wherever they occur. We will be broad and inclusive to ensure that the legacy of Madiba, as a unifier extraordinaire is sustained in the best manner possible.”
She said Madiba had in his first address to a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament wedded himself to the vision of creating a people-centred society.
In committing ourselves as public representatives, this is the time to focus our energies on what President Madiba pronounced when he declared that Parliament must lead the fight against the evils of poverty, disease and ignorance. We want to recommit ourselves to bettering the lives of all South Africans.”
Mfeketo said the nation had been on “pins and needles” since the former statesman was hospitalised, adding that the thought of Madiba being unwell was unsettling.
“The thought of Madiba in hospital, indisposed due to illness is harrowing. This is not what we wish for our beloved hero. You [Madiba] are one of a kind. Your place in our heart is yours and yours alone. We needed you at the worst of times in our history, we need you now, and we need you for eternity,” Mfeketo said.
Friday’s tribute was organized by Parliament’s presiding officers, who, despite the institution being in recess, met and agreed to partner with the rest of society to deepen the mobilisation around “Madiba and his family and to celebrate the legacy of our pre-eminent icon”.
In the audience, sitting side by side and united in their wish to pay tribute to Madiba, were Lindiwe Mazibuko, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, politicians who had served in Mandela’s Cabinet, judges, civil society organisations and ordinary men and women. – SAnews.gov.za
