The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in Houghton, Johannesburg
On Sunday 8 December 2013, the Nelson Mandela Foundation together with LeadSA hosted a non-denominational service of remembrance for the late Nelson Mandela at the Centre of Memory in Houghton.
The living the legacy non-denominational tribute was led by Dr David Molapo.
“Welcome to this living the legacy ceremony. It is true that we have lost one of the bright lights of world history, but we are here today to celebrate his life and his legacy,” said Dr Molapo.
Serenaded by the Soweto Gospel Choir, members of the Mandela family, namely great-grandson Luvuyo Mandela and granddaughter Zoleka Mandela, trustees of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, esteemed guests of honour and religious leaders and members of the public united in singing South Africa’s national anthem.
The roar of motorcycle engines announced a moving tribute to Madiba by the Bikers for Mandela Day.
Sello Hatang, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation
Sello Hatang, Chief Executive of the Foundation, welcomed guests, saying that while Mandela’s death could inspire a sombre mood, people are instead celebrating a life well lived.
He gave condolences to the family of Baby Jake Matlala, saying that Madiba believed that the pain of others was as much his pain.
“We dedicate today to not only Madiba, but also the family of Baby Jake Matlala. We have lost two legends,” he said.
Hatang shared quotes from Mr Mandela on death and mortality, saying that Nelson Mandela lived his life according to three key values – freeing yourself, freeing others and being of service every day.
“We need to end on a light note whenever we talk about Madiba,” Hatang added, sharing an anecdote about Madiba’s interaction with staff at the Foundation, where he joked about his arrival at the pearly gates, and St Peter’s insistence that he go to the other entrance, the warmer gate.
"Perhaps there I would meet my comrades from the ANC," Mandela joked.
In closing, Hatang reminded guests of Madiba’s words: “The call now is for each one to ask ourselves: are we doing all that we can to help build a country of our dreams?”
LeadSA's Yusuf Abramjee reminded guests to play their part in making every day a Mandela Day
Describing Mandela as a father, LeadSA head Yusuf Abramjee asked what Madiba would be wishing for today.
“To us help to those in need. Let’s use today to grieve and mourn, but also to celebrate his life and legacy,” he said.
Luvuyo Mandela addressed guests on behalf of the Mandela family, thanking all for gathering together and attending vigils around the world for uTata.
“In our custom it is said that when an old man dies, we do not weep, but we celebrate his life. We have seen that people are doing this, they are gathering together to celebrate his life. We need to pick up where he left off – we must do our bit to ensure that his legacy continues.
Luvuyo Mandela thanked people across the globe gathering to honour Madiba's legacy
"Being here together, forgetting our differences and where we come from, and celebrating one common goal is what we can all do to help maintain Madiba’s legacy.
“We are in mourning, but we celebrate his life – he was an elder who had lived his life to the fullest,” he said.
Faiths in unity
“Today is a national day of prayer and we will now welcome religious leaders who are in attendance, thanking God for this wonderful day and the life of this wonderful man,” said Dr Molapo.
Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein
“We gather here on a momentous and historic day. President Zuma has called upon our country to pray today and gather in honour of our beloved Madiba. There are services taking place across the length and breadth of South Africa – across geography and denominations – in unity and diversity. That is the greatest tribute that we can pay to Madiba, a leader who recognised that our country was filled with religious people, and saw the importance of bringing together religious groups in the spirit of unity.”
Chief Rabbi Hazdan greets Luvuyo Mandela
Chief Rabbi Dovid Hazdan
Rabbi Hazdan spoke about his involvement in the CycAlive project, an initiative sees young boys cycle together from Johannesburg to Durban. During this year’s trip, the cyclists gathered on the road that leads to Nelson Mandela’s capture point in Howick.
“The boys came together and embraced. It was this spirit of togetherness and community that Madiba espoused.”
Sheikh Mohammed Wadee
“The South African Muslim community shares with humanity the loss of our father, Nelson Mandela. We cannot commemorate Madiba’s passing just in sadness, we must celebrate his life,” said Sheikh Wadee.
“In 1997 Nelson Mandela visited the Oxford Centre for Muslim Studies and spoke about the way in which the three great religions of Africa – Islam, Christianity and African traditional religion – could have a profound bearing on the continent. He said that the religious groups, working together, could lay solid foundations for the establishment of a world order based on respect.”
Dr Kollapen
Dr Kollapen said that among followers of the Hindu faith, Mandela has been given the name Mahatma – great man with a super consciousness that is able to touch every person in the universe.
“This soul limited by a physical body has the great capacity to touch the hearts and soul of every being, through his actions. He taught legions that the only religion is the religion of love – the only real form of godliness is how we treat each other. We should learn from uTata Mandela all the beautiful ideals that make us truly human.”
Tate Moses Mofokeng, African traditional religion
Tate Moses Mofokeng, African traditional religion
“It was thanks to Madiba that African traditional religion was recognised at the World Parliament of Religions in 2003; it was thanks to him I came to honour my religion. We are all here today as a rainbow nation because of him, and we all honour what he fought for. How can we honour him? We need to live his legacy.”
Dr Mathole Motshekga, National Interfaith Council of SA
“We can learn a very important thing from Madiba, we can learn to listen and to learn from those who came before and preserve their legacy for the common good of humanity.
“Mandela believed in Ubuntu, an African ideal that transcends race, gender, colour and creed. This common philosophy was left to us as a legacy through which we can together work towards a common good. Today we are able to come together in different denominations and worship under the same roof. What is there left in the world that defeats this unity?”
Toyko Sexwale, Trustee of the Foundation
Tokyo Sexwale, Trustee of the Nelson Mandela Foundation
“We were all touched by the death of uTata Nelson Mandela. We grieve together while at the same time understanding that 95 years of a life well lived should be a celebration. We can’t be sad today. We can say is it is finished. His task, his mission, is done. Now it is on us to take the nation forward,” he said.
Sexwale regaled guests with a story Madiba once told, a tale of a village that was haunted by ghosts. As one family packed their belongings and made their way out of the village, an old man asked the family where they were going. The ghosts replied, “we are trekking”.
“Madiba’s message is clear: solve your problems, because of you are trying to flee from them, they will follow you,” he added.
“Where do the disciples of this prophet sit today? Are we prepared to step forward and speak to Madiba’s values and principles in any part of the world?” asked Sexwale.
Sexwale spoke about Madiba as a man of forgiveness – a man who shared the Nobel Prize with his jailer.
“We must live the example of his method; his commitment to reconciliation and peace was real.”
Sexwale then read a poem he had written for Mandela, called Touch My Grave.
Both the poem and anecdote are available for download below.
Anant Singh, producer, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
“I am very honoured to perpetuate Madiba’s legacy, via the story Long Walk to Freedom. Trying to tell his life in a 2.5-hour film was a challenge, but I was able to show him footage of the film at the end of last year, and he was happy with what he saw. The spirit of what Madiba has been, how he has touched all, is what prevails.”
Children from schools across Johannesburg took to the stage to share their stories, tributes and anecdotes of Nelson Mandela, each one thanking him for the difference he made to each of their lives.
Ahmed Kathrada, veteran of the struggle and lifelong friend of Nelson Mandela
Ahmed Kathrada, Trustee of the Nelson Mandela Foundation
Ahmed Kathrada, struggle veteran and longtime friend of Nelson Mandela, closed the service, saying: “I think we should remember exactly when Madiba became president – the night Chris Hani was killed; the country was in turmoil. If Madiba hadn’t addressed the nation, we would have seen bloodshed like never before.
“I want to remember Madiba as a politician who can laugh at himself, because that is rare these days,” he added.
Reading a quote from a tribute he had written to Madiba, Kathrada recognised Madiba’s self-confidence and absence of pettiness – shown by his attitude to opposition parties.
“You taught us that they are not enemies, but political rivals. We can work together on issues towards the upliftment of the needy.
“You gift of insight is uncomparable, given at immeasurable personal cost, and will continue to cast a bright light in a world often beset by uncertainty and complex moral choices. You are a lone star for leaders of substance and courage.”
Zoleka Mandela attended the ceremony with her partner, Thierry Bashala