Africa News of Tuesday, 11 February 2020
Source: www.mynigeria.com
30 years of Freedom: Ramaphosa, Obama pay tribute to Mandela
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa and former United States President, Barrack Obama have paid tribute to Nelson Mandela after his release from prison.
Both men paid tribute to the legend in separate accounts, marking the 30th year commemoration of Madiba’s release from prison.
Obama eulogized the anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and Former President of South Africa as an example of perseverance and faith.
Taking to Instagram, he posted: "Thirty years on, I remember the hope we all felt watching Mandela’s release from prison. The gift of a new way of seeing. The chance to participate in the work of building a better world. The ultimate example of perseverance and faith for each new generation to follow."
In a similar vein, Ramaphosa paid tribute to all those who kept the Mandela name alive while the anti-apartheid icon was in prison.?
He spoke from the same balcony at Cape Town's Grand Parade where Mandela delivered his first speech as a free man
Ramaphosa words: "Mama Winnie Mandela kept Nelson Mandela's name alive every day. She and many others kept the fires of resistance burning in the breast of the people of this country. We recall mothers and fathers of Khayelitsha of Mannenberg of Gugulethu, Bonteheuwel and in so many other towns and villages who ensured that the name Nelson Mandela was never forgotten."
On this day, in the year 1990, Mandela was released from Victor Verster prison now known as the Drakenstein Correctional Centre, after a heroic 27-years.
Mandela was the country's first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. He died on December 5th, 2013.
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