Last night before most Ugandans retired to their beds, were saddened to hear the news of the death of Africa’s Father Nelson Mandela South African’s first Black president and civil rights icon who died at the age of 95. And of course in these social media times we have seen the ‘internets’ full of condolence messages and praises of Africa’s great leader. “He is now resting,” South African President Jacob Zuma said. “He is now at peace.”
In the wake of his death, many world leaders have lined up to mourn Mandela. Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook as have usual houses several messages. Former US president Bill Clinton’s tweet was the most touching who said “I will never forget my friend Madiba”. In a speech to the nation, South African President Zuma called upon South Africans to celebrate Mandela’s life by renewing their commitment to social justice. “Let us recall the values for which Madiba fought,” Zuma said, using Mandela’s colloquial nickname. “Let us reaffirm his vision of a society in which none is exploited, oppressed or dispossessed by another.”
US President Barack Obama also commented on Mandela’s death in a public address. “My first political action was a protest against apartheid. I studied his words and his writings,” Obama said. “So long as I live, I will do what I can to learn from him.”
