STATEMENT BY HER EXCELLENCY DR JOYCE BANDA PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI AND CHAIRPERSON OF SADC DURING THE MEMORIAL

SERVICE IN HONOUR OF THE LATE FORMER PRESIDENT NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

SUNDAY, 15TH DECEMBER 2013

QUNU, EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

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 D/.1/':!/.3%0 G!%.1.5 L*0/%. *'0 G%'1&%-%') I stand before you today to join you, the people of South Africa, and the world, to mourn the loss of a great leader: Nelson Rohlihlahla Mandela. I join you, the people of this rainbow nation, to celebrate a life of one of Africa s uni!ue leaders who gallantly fought for freedom and peace for this great country and the world.
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"he first time I was pri#ileged to meet Mandela was during his #isit to Malawi in $%%&, after his release from prison, when he came to meet the late 'resident (amu)u *anda. I was

ama)ed with the humility in this great African leader. In $%%+, I was further pri#ileged to be in#ited to #isit Robben Island together with a team from Malawi.

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After the tour of Robben Island, I was greatly touched by the life and story of "ata Mandela and since then I sought to ,now and understand this great son of Africa. In $%%-, I met "ata Mandela at a .onference for Smart 'artnership in (asane, *otswana. I was inspired by this great leader who was focused, calm and collected.

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In /&$$, I had an opportunity to #isit "ata Mandela at his home in

0ohannesburg. 1e had a #ery mo#ing con#ersation. I was deeply touched by his spirit of forgi#eness, his passion to put people first and courage. "hese attributes ha#e greatly influenced my life. After three years of isolation,

humiliation and name calling, I found myself in a situation where I had to

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wor, with those who had desired to pre#ent me from becoming 'resident of my country. I had to forgi#e them without effort. "ata s courage, determination, lo#e and passion for his people inspired me on my journey to becoming the first elected woman 'resident in my

country. I learned that leadership is about falling in lo#e with the people and the people falling in lo#e with you.

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It is about ser#ing the people with selflessness, with sacrifice and with the need to put the common good ahead of personal interests. "oday, I stand before you, on behalf of our regional grouping and family, the Southern .ommunity Africa 3SA2.4, 2e#elopment to e5tend a

collecti#e hand of comfort to the Mandela 6amily, the 7o#ernment of the Republic of South Africa,

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the African National .ongress and to all South Africans on this irreplaceable loss of one of its true sons, "ata. "he passing on of "ata Mandela is not only a loss to South Africa, but also to the SA2. Region, and indeed to the world. As we celebrate the life of this icon, it is also time to ta,e stoc, of the things that "ata taught us during his time with us.

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I ,now that much has already been said about "ata by those whose li#es ha#e been touched and inspired by his wor,s. "he SA2. region will remember him for his wisdom and statesmanship8 his humility and sense of humour8 and his ser#ant leadership style. "ata Madiba belie#ed that all people are created e!ual.

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"he way he conducted himself, he saw no boundaries between and among the countries of the region. 9e championed the freedom of not only South Africans but also all Africans. "ata Madiba taught us that e#en when the challenges of with life courage seem and

insurmountable,

determination, we can o#ercome the e#ils of our societies.

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"he struggle "ata Madiba led against the apartheid system was not just a struggle against racial ine!uality, but a struggle oppression against against all forms humanity8 of a

struggle for democracy and human dignity. It was the struggle for the

emancipation of the youth. It was a struggle for the social security of children.

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It was a struggle for the participation of women in politics, in commerce and in high offices. It was a struggle to o#ercome po#erty. :es, it was a struggle for Africa s freedom. 1e in the SA2. Region will

remember "ata as a great reformer who championed the cause of

humanity, deepening democracy and dedicated his life to selfless ser#ice,

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a man who wor,ed tirelessly to promote national, regional and world peace. 1e in the SA2. Region, whilst mourning his death, we also see this as an opportunity to celebrate the life of a great Statesman, an icon from our region. "he life of "ata Mandela will continue to inspire those of us left behind, promote peace and security,

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deepen regional integration and wor, to support one another as it was during the fight against apartheid. 1e will stri#e to emulate "ata Mandela s stature and spirit so that his legacy can li#e on. "he ideals of political, social and economic emancipation that he stood for will inspire us fore#er as a Region. In conclusion, I belie#e I am spea,ing for many within the region.

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"ata s words are still echoing in our minds, his call to get millions of our young people in the region decent jobs. 9is call to get millions of our women and men out of po#erty, depri#ation and underde#elopment.

9is call to get food for the hungry, to eradicate pre#entable diseases, to let people find their #oice, and restore their dignity. "hese words will inspire SA2. long after "ata Madiba is gone.

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;ur 2ear 6ather and compatriot, "ata Nelson Mandela, fought a good fight and he finished the race well. As an African woman and leader, I wish to ac,nowledge Mama 1innie Madi,i)ela Mandela for her efforts and steadfastness for standing with "ata Mandela before and during "ata s imprisonment and for being in the forefront liberation. of AN. s struggle for

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And to you, Mama 7raca Machel, I wish to than, you for your #isible lo#e and care especially during "ata s last days. "o both of you, the lo#e and tolerance you ha#e demonstrated before the whole world during the funeral has shown us that you are prepared to continue with "ata s ideals.

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I wish to therefore appeal to all South Africans to remain united and continue to be a rainbow nation for this is what "ata Madiba cherished for. It is our hope and prayer that South Africa will remain a country of all people

regardless of race, colour, religion and tribe. SA2. will stand with you and loo, forward to a continued

engagement in our joint efforts to deepen democracy and regional

integration.
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It is now up to us as leaders, as citi)ens, as a .ontinent to continue from where "ata Madiba left, so that his legacy li#es on, so that what he stood for, should not die. May his soul Rest in 'eace< I than, you.

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