Commemorations were held across South Africa on Friday, to remember and honour anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela, who died one year ago after a long period of illness, at the age of 95.
Official ceremonies and a number of different remembrance events are set to continue over the weekend in South Africa. Mandela was elected as South Africa’s first black president in 1994 after spending 27 years in prison as a result of his role in the struggle against apartheid. Despite their political differences, various groups across South Africa and around the world paid tribute to him on Friday.
In a written statement, President Barack Obama and the First Lady, Michelle Obama, stated,
South Africa, which is plagued by allegations of corruption in government and high levels of poverty, continues to look to Mandela’s legacy as a vision for a way forward.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said in a statement on Friday,
Official ceremonies and a number of different remembrance events are set to continue over the weekend in South Africa. Mandela was elected as South Africa’s first black president in 1994 after spending 27 years in prison as a result of his role in the struggle against apartheid. Despite their political differences, various groups across South Africa and around the world paid tribute to him on Friday.
In a written statement, President Barack Obama and the First Lady, Michelle Obama, stated,
“One year ago the world lost a leader whose struggle and sacrifices inspired us to stand up for our fundamental principles, whose example reminded us of the enduring need for compassion, understanding, and reconciliation, and whose vision saw the promise of a better world.”
South Africa, which is plagued by allegations of corruption in government and high levels of poverty, continues to look to Mandela’s legacy as a vision for a way forward.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said in a statement on Friday,
"Our obligation to Madiba is to continue to build the society he envisaged, to follow his example…A society founded on human rights, in which all can share in the rich bounty God bestowed on our country."