'Good values don’t go out of fashion': Tutus' message on 30th anniversary of Mandela release

Cape Town - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah used the anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release from prison to remind South Africans to uphold the values which he held dear and which would see him separated from his family for 27 years.

In a statement on the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation website, they said Mandela should be remembered for the timeless good values he shared with the world.

“Thirty years ago, Nelson Mandela emerged from prison to dazzle South Africa and the world with his warmth and human values. Circumstances and priorities change over time, but good values don’t go out of fashion. We miss him. Love and blessings. Archbishop Desmond and Mrs Leah Tutu,” they said.

In this February 11, 1990 photo, Nelson Mandela's release from prison in Cape Town, is celebrated in Soweto, South Africa. Picture: Raymond Preston/AP

SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION

On social media many people shared fond memories of the day of Madiba’s release.

Political analyst Somadoda Fikeni shared some iconic images on his Twitter page.

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Its the 30th anniversary of the release of President Mandela. His efforts flow from adherence to the collective ethos of the ANC focussed on building non-racialism non-sexism and democracy. We hopes that as we draw from his example we do not isolate him from this rich tradition pic.twitter.com/Q6cchpVMTJ
— Khalid Sayed MPL (@MKhalidSayed) February 11, 2020

And so this happens right outside the Nelson Mandela Hall, at the AU HQ, on the eve of the 30th Anniversary of the release of President Mandela, as South Africa assumes AU Chairship 18 years after the 1st time. With the inaugural Chair. ALL THE SOUTH AFRICAN FEELS! 😭❤️🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/IWxChBZ0ID
— ATHI GELEBA (@AthiGeleba) February 10, 2020