We wish Madiba a long life: Zuma

30 January 2011 - 18:58 By Sapa
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Former president Nelson Mandela had taught the world of the importance of unity, forgiveness and reconciliation, President Jacob Zuma told African leaders following a world-wide panic over the health of the elderly statesman last week.

"We wish him a long life and good health, as he continues to age with dignity and inspire all of us to strive to be better people each day," Zuma told the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday.

"This fearless freedom fighter, like many others who were presidents of the ANC before him, taught us the importance of unity, forgiveness and reconciliation.

"He taught us to be forward looking and to use the past as a reference point to ensure that we never go back to racial oppression, hatred and fear of one another as South Africans," said Zuma.

He was speaking at a symposium marking the centenary of the ANC, on the sidelines of the summit.

The conference was themed: "The Liberation Struggle and shared values: Achievements, Lessons and the Future."

"We truly appreciate the support and good wishes we received when he [Mandela] was in hospital this week," said Zuma.

The conference was attended by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, former president of Zambia Kenneth Kaunda, and ANC chairwoman Baleka Mbethe.

It was being held to celebrate the shared values of freedom, justice, democracy, good governance and prosperity of the African people, presidential spokesman Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.

It also aimed to promote the lessons from the liberation struggle and how these should translate into a better life for all on the continent.

Zuma's comments followed the admission of the 92-year-old statesman to Milpark Hospital during the week for treatment of an acute respiratory infection.

Mandela's hospitalisation and the information blackout which surrounded it, resulted in a frenzy of activity at the hospital and at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has since acknowledged that the flow of information could have been better.

Sunday newspapers have reported the information vacuum was caused by disagreements over how the matter should have been handled.



subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now