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Gauteng pledges to preserve Madiba legacy

Madiba Heritage

The Gauteng province has been home to the late former President Nelson Mandela since his youthful departure from Qunu in the Eastern Cape.

He has lived in Alexandra, Soweto, Pretoria and Houghton in Johannesburg, where he resided until his death.

Inspired by his teachings and principles, Gauteng Tourism is pledging to continue preserving Madiba’s legacy by showcasing numerous heritage sites associated with his memory and legacy.

Madiba, 95, passed on in his family home in Houghton on Thursday, 5 December.

Sites that pay homage to Mandela include the first house he lived in in Alexandra township; his famous old house in Soweto’s Vilakazi Street; Nelson Mandela Bridge in the heart of Johannesburg’s CBD; the Nelson Mandela statue in Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton; the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory; Liliesleaf Farm in Rivonia; Constitution Hill in Johannesbrg; the Apartheid Museum; Freedom Park in Pretoria; the Union Buildings; the Workers’ Museum; the Palace of Justice in Church Square, and Chancellor House with its new “boxer” statue of Mandela.

Fond memories

The atmosphere was tinged with a mixture of sorrow and joy at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton on Friday afternoon, where South Africans gathered in their numbers to add on to the stack of flowers on the pavement just in front of the statue.

When SAnews approached Danae Horsler from Sunninghill after she laid a flower, she was emotional, with tears welling in her eyes.

“It feels very sad to lose a great leader like Madiba. I think it is so inspiring if I can live my life guided by with his values of respecting and loving others and I strongly believe that if we can instil humanity in our lives as South Africans, we can build a great nation.

“Madiba put a lot of emphasis on education. If we can just give everybody education, they would live fulfilling lives and have an equal chance,” she said.

With a fist held up in the air and a determined smile, Patience Qina said: “It is fitting to pay tribute to the leader who is Nelson Mandela. I think everyone knows what he has done for us in this country, so I am here to acknowledge and appreciate his sacrifice to liberate this country.

“His contribution will continue to live on with us as South Africans.”

Derrick Bowles, who was also at the square to pay his last respects to Mandela, said: “We knew it was coming but… it is one of those things that when it happens, it touches [us].

“I will remember him as one of the few leaders who promoted equality and love for all people, irrespective of their race.”

His sentiments were echoed by Rose Hooker, who was taking pictures of fellow South Africans as they were laying flowers in front of the statue.

“My husband woke up at after President Jacob Zuma officially announced the sad news to the nation and the world. I’ve been awake since that moment. So far, I am not thinking of going to bed because I am still upset, but I knew that the sad day was coming after our former President was admitted at the hospital for three months,” she said.

Mandela funeral

Mandela, who served 27 years in prison, will be laid to rest at his home in Qunu, Eastern Cape, on Sunday, December 15.

The South Africa government has declared 10 days of mourning, and across the globe, government buildings have lowered their flags to half-mast. – SAnews.gov.za

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