NANDUS BINGLE Grade 12 (18)

How have the ideals embraced by Madiba shaped you as a person?

The words spoken by Nelson Mandela at the Rivonia Trial echoed his sincerity as a human being.

This sincerity may have spared his life. We are the better for it. It is one of those qualities we all probably wish we and others had more of. People who show sincerity are serious, kind and truthful.

Do you think that if he had still been at the helm, South Africa would be a different country today?

I believe that we each have our time in the sun. Nelson Mandela was a great leader in his time, and now it is time for Cyril Ramaphosa to be a great leader.

What, in your opinion, would be the things that are plaguing SA today that Madiba would have changed?

In my opinion, the same things would have happened, especially the decisions with regards to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, because he was Nelson Mandela, our country and our people would have been more united.

Should South Africans have celebrated Nelson Mandela Day, considering that we are in the grip of a global pandemic?

We need to show compassion during this global crisis and reach out to each other. I believe that charity begins at home. Do something exceptional for someone you know.

What did you concentrate your 67 minutes on during this year's Nelson Mandela Day?

In 2018, we visited the elderly at Herfsakker. Although we were not allowed to go this year because of the pandemic, I think that each one of us should pay R67 into Herfsakker's account. It is a small amount that, if multiplied by all Lowvelder readers, would make a huge difference! I challenged all my teachers to do the same.