THE numbers were few but the message was profound at a candlelight vigil on Thursday night that ushered in the first memorial of the passing of the nation’s beloved icon, Nelson Mandela.
Fond remembrances and tributes to the mighty Madiba were shared in the hours leading to midnight.
This was followed by the lighting of candles and silent reflection at the advent of the new day, 5 December, on which he died one year ago.
‘He was above all a man of peace and reconciliation but in an active, not a passive way,’ said uThungulu District Deputy Mayor, Cllr Thulani Mashaba.
‘God had a plan for our country, and that plan was fulfilled through Mandela.
‘He led the struggle – not against white people, but against a wrongful system.
‘His legacy and example for us is one of love, work and service.
‘We are also part of the plan for our nation; we cannot allow it to regress.
‘Madiba’s spirit will never die. These candles are symbols of hope for the hopeless and show that the future is bright if we walk in Mandela’s steps.
‘We are proud of the fact that the whole world looks up at him and aspires to be like him.
‘As he looks down on us, he will be happy that we still remember him.’
Earlier, City of uMhlathuze Speaker, Mduduzi Mhlongo honoured Mandela as ‘one of our founding fathers, a stalwart of the resistance, a fighter of apartheid and one whose life was steeped in self-sacrifice’.
‘Through force of example, he showed that forgiveness is more about the forgiven than the forgiver.
‘He taught that we can all live alongside each other in peace in our beloved country, and that the young can also make a valuable contribution.’
The memorial service was also addressed by MPL Nonhle Mkulise, Umfolozi Mayor Smanga Mngege and District Speaker Alice Mthembu, with Pastor Vusi Vilani giving the spiritual message.
