Heartfelt tributes to much loved Madiba
| People from all over the world — from ordinary individuals to business leaders and famous celebrities — have paid their respects to Nelson Mandela
SACRED Heart College: “We remember him as a parent and grandparent who took an intense interest in education. We also remember his gracious generosity and love of children. He will be sadly missed.”
Vanessa Smeets from Pretoria sent a picture from the Pretoria Montessori Preschool showing children lying down in the shape of a rainbow. She said the children told her: “Teacher, there is no rainbow in Pretoria today, only sad clouds on this sad day.”
Nate Mitchell, 27, of Pietermaritzburg, laid flowers and paid his last respects at the Mandela capture site in Howick on Friday: “When I was 10 years old I got to shake Mr Mandela’s hand when he visited Pietermaritzburg . . . It was like no other handshake I’ve experienced in my life.”
Kedibone Ngoasheng from Polokwane: “You contributed so much and sacrificed your life so that I can be allowed to enter those malls, attend those schools, and now my daughter is a born-free. Thank you.”
Wisani Mathonsi from Pretoria: “The great spear of the people has fallen. South Africans and world nations alike will never forget this fearless, courageous, charming, loved, tried and tested leader, a great son of the African soil.”
Sammy Matlaila from Soweto: “Thanks for all your contributions, Madiba, towards transforming our country economically, socially and politically. You’ve paved the way for us, the youth of Mzansi, and it’s up to us to continue your legacy.”
Theresia Ndiyithi Herbst from Johannesburg: “We are part of the legendary history, and the future will remember our bravery.”
Lebogang Nape from Johannesburg: “Freedom to choose, freedom to vote, freedom to be the change you want to see in the world. We thank you.”
Shana Kay from Johannesburg: “My dream was to meet Tata. I never did, but I always listened when he spoke.”
Liz Botes from Bloemfontein: “Thank you for teaching us to forgive, love and respect. You are and always will be my superhero.”
Johnny Clegg: “With all our fellow South Africans we acknowledge with deep gratitude the debt we owe to this man from Qunu, who bequeathed us this great country of promise. Today, although we grieve, we also proudly rejoice in his remarkable life, which we were privileged to share through extraordinary times.”
Morné du Plessis, World Wide Fund for Nature CEO: “We will greatly miss him, but take much from the legacy he has left as we continue our work to better our environment, our society, ourselves.”
Salvation Army: “His commitment to helping the poor and vulnerable and his pursuit of reconciliation in our divided society was a shining example to those of us who serve the Lord Jesus Christ through the Salvation Army.”
Greenpeace: “Tata Madiba’s legacy will live on in all those who share his commitment to changing the world for the better, to achieve a socially just society which has human rights and dignity at its core.”
Road Traffic Management Corporation: “This fallen hero, the legend, will be remembered by the world for his pursuit of equal rights for all; a humble servant, selfless freedom fighter and true compatriot who laid the foundation of a better South Africa for all.”
U2 singer Bono: “Without Mandela, would Africa be experiencing its best decade of growth and poverty reduction?”
Britain’s Prince Charles: “With his passing, there will be an immense void not only in his family’s lives, but also in those of all South Africans and the many others whose lives have been changed through his fight for peace, justice and freedom.”
Britain’s Prince William (after attending the London premiere of the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom): “We were just reminded of what an extraordinary and inspiring man Nelson Mandela was.”
British actor Idris Elba (who plays Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom ): “We have lost one of the greatest human beings to have walked this Earth.”
US actor Morgan Freeman (who played Mandela in the film Invictus about the 1995 Rugby World Cup): “Today the world lost one of the true giants of the past century.”
South African actress Charlize Theron : “Rest in peace Madiba. You will be missed, but your impact on this world will live forever.”
Former CNN interviewer Larry King: “He was so eloquent and classy.”
Microsoft founder Bill Gates: “His grace and courage changed the world.”
Virgin group founder Richard Branson: “Nelson Mandela redefined leadership. He showed that great things can be achieved by leading through wisdom, empathy and integrity, with no other agenda than humanity.”
US business mogul Donald Trump: “Nelson Mandela and myself had a wonderful relationship — he was a special man and will be missed.”
Graeme Smith: Madiba was an in- spiration to the Proteas in the same way that he was to other South African teams. To us he represented so many of the qualities which we as players have looked to adopt in playing for South Africa.”
David Beckham: “We have lost a true gentleman and a courageous human being. It was truly an honour to have known a man who had genuine love for so many people.”