Time to honour and further Mandela’s Legacy
Nelson Mandela was a great hero of the human rights movement and a voice for unity, dignity and respect. He was a man of great forgiveness and immeasurable achievement. His passing is a time of great sadness for millions around the world, including here in New Zealand. I met Mandela in 1995. It is always life changing when you have the opportunity to meet someone in person who inspired the world. He is and always will be the example of what we strive to achieve to advance human rights and harmonious relations. The strength of the man was his ability to forgive and through the truth and reconciliation process he not only united South Africa but sent that message to the world. “
- Dame Susan Devoy, Race Relations Commissioner, Human Rights Commission
The death of Nelson Mandela has rocked the world. Bringing together the community from all walks of life, political leader (that have not met for many years), race, musicians, activist, and I could go on and on. I do not think many people were not touched by his stories- young and old
One individual can begin a movement that turns the tide of history. Kate Sheppard in women’s rights, Martin Luther King in the civil rights movement, Mohandas Gandhi in India, Nelson Mandela in South Africa are examples of people standing up with courage and non-violence to bring about needed changes. Nelson Mandela was an angry man when he went to prison, and realized like Gandhi, that there is a peaceful way of doing things and getting a better result.
The most significant event that stayed in my mind with the South African tour was the change of the political climate in Pakuranga. Overnight it became a Social Credit seat. The people reacted to the political decision of the time and voted off the sitting member.
When Nelson Mandela came to NZ, it was like Gandhi visiting. People were in awe from his presence. He didn’t have to talk; his presence and his deeds spoke volumes.
His words “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination” are always in my thought.
May he rest in peace.
- Ranjana Patel, Director, East Tamaki Health Care
Since Nelson Mandela died on 5 December the world has seen an outpouring of love, affection and appreciation of this kind and gentle man who fought and paid a high price for the principles he held most dear. My connections with the South African cause, which is inextricably linked to Nelson Mandela, go to my days at Auckland University and as an academic at Massey University in Palmerston North. We protested against apartheid and the brutal regime that existed then in South Africa. In 1981 many of us protested the presence of the Springbok Rugby team in New Zealand and witnessed the abuse of many protesters by the Red and Blue Squads of the New Zealand Police. These were scary times but we were prepared to take the risks involved in the name of freedom, justice and anti-racism. We were glad to see Nelson Mandela released from prison and the swift transition to a free South Africa.
This week as I sat in the memorial service in Auckland for Nelson Mandela I celebrated his life with many other Kiwis and South Africans. He was a great man who has left a great deal for all of us to contemplate and follow. I doubt if there will be another who will walk this earth in my life time as he did. Thank you Madiba for your great gifts. Rest well for you have been one of the great servants of God on this earth.
Dr Rajen Prasad, Member of Parliament
The loss of beloved Nelson Mandela is being felt by the mass he led to liberation creating the perfect harmony & equal opportunity.
HE is the greatest most courageous and honest leader South Africa ever had. He gave the so called ‘lost generation’ of South Africa
A GREAT FUTURE in making history of the world from the apartheid struggle. He has achieved something in his death that had not been seen before.
Nelson Mandela has always had a special place in my heart which will live forever with me as a symbol for justice, equality, peacemaker and dignity.
As he said, there is no time for bitterness, there is to much to do in life.
Chandu Patel, Public Relation Officer, Auckland Indian Association
Nelson Mandela – The courage to stand up against the tyranny of a few against the masses, is what distinguishes a maker of destiny from others. Nelson Mandela is one of the very few people that the world has seen, who stood up against all odds, overcoming personal trials and tribulations, literally burning self; for the good of the society. His departure is not the end of the story he was telling, it is just a chapter that has ended, but the journey goes on. He lives on in each human being who cannot tolerate being treated as anything less.
Manish Tanna, President, Manukau Indian Associations
Nelson Mandela was a giant of human rights in our time. Like Mahatma Gandhi before him, who spent 20 years of his life fighting racist laws in South Africa, Mandela personified compassion and humility. He embodied all the goodness of Gandhi.Mandela’s courage and wisdom that came out of many years of struggle against the Apartheid system influenced generations of freedom fighters. Among these freedom fighters were many Indians like Ahmed Kathrada and Jasmat Nanabhai (my grand uncle) who were close allies to Mandela. He inspired many to fight for justice and human rights. Hisideals of freedom, human dignity and respect will live with us forever. “
Rohan Jaduram, Team Lead Race Relations, Human Rights Commission
Nelson Mandela was a great hero of the human rights movement and a voice for unity, dignity and respect. He was a man of great forgiveness and immeasurable achievement. His passing is a time of great sadness for millions around the world, including here in New Zealand. I met Mandela in 1995. It is...
Nelson Mandela was a great hero of the human rights movement and a voice for unity, dignity and respect. He was a man of great forgiveness and immeasurable achievement. His passing is a time of great sadness for millions around the world, including here in New Zealand. I met Mandela in 1995. It is always life changing when you have the opportunity to meet someone in person who inspired the world. He is and always will be the example of what we strive to achieve to advance human rights and harmonious relations. The strength of the man was his ability to forgive and through the truth and reconciliation process he not only united South Africa but sent that message to the world. “
- Dame Susan Devoy, Race Relations Commissioner, Human Rights Commission
The death of Nelson Mandela has rocked the world. Bringing together the community from all walks of life, political leader (that have not met for many years), race, musicians, activist, and I could go on and on. I do not think many people were not touched by his stories- young and old
One individual can begin a movement that turns the tide of history. Kate Sheppard in women’s rights, Martin Luther King in the civil rights movement, Mohandas Gandhi in India, Nelson Mandela in South Africa are examples of people standing up with courage and non-violence to bring about needed changes. Nelson Mandela was an angry man when he went to prison, and realized like Gandhi, that there is a peaceful way of doing things and getting a better result.
The most significant event that stayed in my mind with the South African tour was the change of the political climate in Pakuranga. Overnight it became a Social Credit seat. The people reacted to the political decision of the time and voted off the sitting member.
When Nelson Mandela came to NZ, it was like Gandhi visiting. People were in awe from his presence. He didn’t have to talk; his presence and his deeds spoke volumes.
His words “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination” are always in my thought.
May he rest in peace.
- Ranjana Patel, Director, East Tamaki Health Care
Since Nelson Mandela died on 5 December the world has seen an outpouring of love, affection and appreciation of this kind and gentle man who fought and paid a high price for the principles he held most dear. My connections with the South African cause, which is inextricably linked to Nelson Mandela, go to my days at Auckland University and as an academic at Massey University in Palmerston North. We protested against apartheid and the brutal regime that existed then in South Africa. In 1981 many of us protested the presence of the Springbok Rugby team in New Zealand and witnessed the abuse of many protesters by the Red and Blue Squads of the New Zealand Police. These were scary times but we were prepared to take the risks involved in the name of freedom, justice and anti-racism. We were glad to see Nelson Mandela released from prison and the swift transition to a free South Africa.
This week as I sat in the memorial service in Auckland for Nelson Mandela I celebrated his life with many other Kiwis and South Africans. He was a great man who has left a great deal for all of us to contemplate and follow. I doubt if there will be another who will walk this earth in my life time as he did. Thank you Madiba for your great gifts. Rest well for you have been one of the great servants of God on this earth.
Dr Rajen Prasad, Member of Parliament
The loss of beloved Nelson Mandela is being felt by the mass he led to liberation creating the perfect harmony & equal opportunity.
HE is the greatest most courageous and honest leader South Africa ever had. He gave the so called ‘lost generation’ of South Africa
A GREAT FUTURE in making history of the world from the apartheid struggle. He has achieved something in his death that had not been seen before.
Nelson Mandela has always had a special place in my heart which will live forever with me as a symbol for justice, equality, peacemaker and dignity.
As he said, there is no time for bitterness, there is to much to do in life.
Chandu Patel, Public Relation Officer, Auckland Indian Association
Nelson Mandela – The courage to stand up against the tyranny of a few against the masses, is what distinguishes a maker of destiny from others. Nelson Mandela is one of the very few people that the world has seen, who stood up against all odds, overcoming personal trials and tribulations, literally burning self; for the good of the society. His departure is not the end of the story he was telling, it is just a chapter that has ended, but the journey goes on. He lives on in each human being who cannot tolerate being treated as anything less.
Manish Tanna, President, Manukau Indian Associations
Nelson Mandela was a giant of human rights in our time. Like Mahatma Gandhi before him, who spent 20 years of his life fighting racist laws in South Africa, Mandela personified compassion and humility. He embodied all the goodness of Gandhi.Mandela’s courage and wisdom that came out of many years of struggle against the Apartheid system influenced generations of freedom fighters. Among these freedom fighters were many Indians like Ahmed Kathrada and Jasmat Nanabhai (my grand uncle) who were close allies to Mandela. He inspired many to fight for justice and human rights. Hisideals of freedom, human dignity and respect will live with us forever. “
Rohan Jaduram, Team Lead Race Relations, Human Rights Commission
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