Durban - Former president Nelson Mandela was the embodiment of peace, love, and democracy, eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo said on Friday.
“We will continue to walk in his footsteps in promoting and building a truly non-racial, non-sexist, and prosperous society,” he said.
He offered his condolences to Mandela's next of kin on behalf of the City of Durban, which he said had a special relationship with Mandela.
“We have a special relationship with Madiba. On 27 April 1994, Tata cast his vote in Ohlange High (School in Inanda), the home of the founding president of the African National Congress, Dr JL Dube. This was a very significant gesture to us in eThekwini, making our beloved Inanda the birthplace of democracy.”
On April 16, 1999, Mandela was honoured when the municipality presented him with the Freedom of the City of Durban.
Mandela died on Thursday night at his Houghton, Johannesburg, home surrounded by family. He was 95. - Sapa