Words of Strive Masiyiwa to Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela's death
Nelson Mandela:
Yesterday morning whilst commenting on
Facebook, I mentioned that one of the
people who taught me about the power of
humility was Nelson Mandela. Later on in
the evening, I learnt that he had just
passed away.
This was a truly great man and one whom I
admired, my entire life. Throughout my
teens and college days he was an ever
present symbol of freedom. In my student
days we sang and marched and protested
for his freedom. I will never forget the day
he left prison, how we sat glued to the TV
waiting to see what he actually looked like,
as no picture had been seen of him for 27
years!
I had the privilege of meeting him, as well
as attending many meetings that he
addressed, after he left prison, as well as
when he was President of South Africa.
One of the great honors for me,
personally, was being appointed, when he
was leaving office, to join an advisory
committee, to propose ideas on how his
legacy would be preserved and projected.
It was a task I truly relished, as we
debated and wrote reports, that we knew
he took great interest in. It was just like
him to allow young people, including
myself, who was non South African, to play
such a role; I do not know of any other
leader who did something like that. I also
worked with his current wife, Ms Graca
Machel, a truly extraordinary humanitarian.
My heart felt condolences go out to his
family, his dear wife, the people of South
Africa, and all peace loving people in the
world. I thank God for using him, in such a
powerful way, to show us the path of peace
and reconciliation.
Visual Copyright Accredited to Matthew
Willman / Nelson Mandela Foundation
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