SA Jewish Report Online has posted almost 50 stories on the unique relationship between SA Jewry & Madiba. We’ve followed community-related events since the tragic news of his passing last week & brought you every significant event in close to real time. And we are just getting started – so we have compiled all the favourite reads under this single umbrella & will constantly update it for you.
Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein is renowned for delivering deeply meaningful speeches and Prayers at the best of times. But today, before what was arguably the most eminent crowd ever assembled at one place in human history – outdid even his own standards in the Prayer he delivered at the Nelson Mandela memorial service today.
Professor David Bilchitz delivered the obituary, headlined: “In Memory of a Great Man,” and spoke of Madiba’s unflinching commitment to reconciling the seemingly irreconcilable diversity of people and political views in South Africa, in order to craft the rainbow nation. This respect for “the other” is unfortunately not yet evident within the Jewish community, he said.
Thabo Mbeki told the gathering at Oxford Shul in Killarney yesterday evening that there is a need for strong leadership in SA - and for honouring the Constitution - as he paid tribute to Madiba. "Do we have the quality of leadership such as was exemplified by Mandela and others sufficient to respond to the challenges we face?" asked Mbeki who repeatedly warned against betraying Mandela's legacy and values.
One of the first to issue condolences, Peres has since penned this deeply thoughtful and insightful message issued Friday. "Mandela was an example to us all. In each of us resides a small Mandela. In each of us there is a force of forgiveness & hope that rejects discrimination & hate. Now we can see clearly that all of us can learn from SA. The world has lost a great leader that changed the course of history with his courage."
"We need to say thank you to Madiba and his generation,” Thabo Mbeki said. “After centuries of conflict, we come together now ... to celebrate his life, ask what legacy he left and have serious reflection on the future... The task of transformation is more difficult than the Struggle.” Mbeki received a standing ovation, as did Chief Rabbi Goldstein who expressed gratitude for the tremendous benefits South Africans, including the Jewish community, enjoyed.
Watch the video of Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein's Prayer at the Mandela Memorial which was held at the FNB Stadium, yesterday, 10th December. READ THE WORDS HERE
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