Are we living Mandela’s legacy?

BUSINESSWOMAN Akshi Rajbansi, 29 of uMhlanga:

“If there is anything I have taken from his story, it is to forgive, fight for what is right, and fight for what is close to your heart. As South Africans, we need to think about where we have come from, savour it and appreciate it. Nowadays, we take things for granted. Given the increasing reports on racism and corruption, we are certainly not living out his legacy.”

HIP hop dancer and youth activist, Lyndon Green, 28, from Sydenham,

said he is inspired by Mandela because he did everything in his power to stop racism and segregation. “It is because of him we have our freedom today. Being involved with the youth, I use dance as a way to break racial barriers.”

RADIO presenter Shretha Maharaj, 26, from Chatsworth,

said through his generous and forgiving spirit, Mandela had changed the mindsets of many of his countrymen and those around the world. “He used a negative situation, and the circumstance he was placed in, to change the way people think and improve our society.” She added that Madiba had taught her to rise above life’s challenges.

POLITICAL science student Cara Buller, 26, of the KZN South Coast,

said she was well aware of the personal costs involved to attain equality and basic human rights for all in South Africa. “The late Mr Mandela not only displayed unwavering faith in himself and his fellow freedom fighters; he upheld faith in all of humanity. He could have chosen to have bitterly punished those responsible for depriving him of the joy of having a family life, and yet he chose to take the high road, choosing forgiveness instead of continued hate, granting all who dwell in South Africa a future that we may enjoy in a climate of grace and our prized diversity.”

GRADE 11 pupil, Xolani Mtshalala, 17, of Newlands West:

“Mandela taught me to look beyond colour and see others as human beings. In South Africa, there is still a lot of racism. This is because some people teach others, especially within the younger generation, to be racist and stay away from those of colour. This must end.” Xolani said racism could end if South Africans re-visited Mandela’s teachings and looked at the sacrifices he had made.

REVANTHI Perumal, 18, an accounting student from Merebank,

described Mandela as one of the most inspiring men in the world. “Madiba has said ‘education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’. This makes me want to get educated and make this world a better place for all.”