Johannesburg - The SA Broadcasting Corporation joined the world on Friday in mourning the death of global icon Nelson Mandela.
“The former president had already begun the work long before his tenure as a president,” said SABC board chairman Zandile Tshabalala.
His ambition was to transform South Africa into a democratic state, and in the process he became so selfless that he sacrificed his family and was incarcerated for 27 years.
“This did not derail him from his plan in fighting the apartheid government; he came back much stronger and more determined so that we can have better lives,” said Tshabalala.
“Like the soldier he was, he fought until the very end, and today we can attribute our transformation to being a public service broadcaster to the contribution he made.”
The SABC said it remained committed to leading and telling the Mandela story to the world to preserve his legacy for generations to come.
The SABC said it had shelved all programmes for 48 hours since the announcement of Mandela's death to pay tribute to him.
Mandela died at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Thursday night, at the age of 95.
Sapa