Church holds special service to honour Madiba
FORMER first lady Graça Machel was among the multitudes who packed the historic Methodist Church of Southern Africa in Orlando for a special service to remember her husband Nelson Mandela.
The service was part of the belated centenary celebrations for Madiba.
The icon would have turned 100 years old last week and to mark this milestone, relatives and friends of the family gathered to reminisce, reflect and celebrate his life.
Bishop Ziphozihle Siwa said the sentimental service was to remember the greatest gift that God had given South Africa.
“Mandela was a man who was among the suffering. Even in death, his life continues to inspire and empower the nation. It is in our hands to make the world a better place. Let us commit to this and allow God to work through us,” he said.
Mandela’s life had also reflected unconditional love because of the sacrifices he made and the pain he endured through his life fighting for the freedom of the country.
“We need to recognise the trail of bitterness and hatred that makes us live in prison. We must abandon life destroying tendencies and find the Mandela inside us.
“God has created all that we need. The only thing that prolongs our suffering is because we do not share our God-given abilities.
“People live in spaces that rob them of their dignity,” Siwa added.
Zodwa Zwane, who was Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s personal assistant, said she was excited about the service and that it gave her hope.
“I could not miss the service and it answered a lot of questions and put everything in perspective for me. It taught me that we need to forgive each other and I believe there will eventually be unity among South Africans,” Zwane said.