President Pohamba signs the book of condolence on Friday morning,
06 December 2013
at the South African High Commission in Klein Windhoek. This is his unedited message:
"It is with great sadness that we learned about the passing on of our leader and brother, Comrade Nelson Mandela.
A giant has gone to rest. The icon of the anti-apartheid struggle has departed after accomplishing what he stood for. Comrade Madiba will be missed not only by those who knew him and by the people of South Africa who he loved and cared for so deeply and sacrificed for but by all those who believe in human dignity.
Mandela will be remembered for his selflessness nature and humility. We will continue to admire his leadership, his vision, caring nature and commitment to fight injustice notwithstanding the challenges he was confronted with.
To us in Namibia, he remains a hero whose legacy will be treasured by millions. We remember with gratification when Madiba graced our independence celebration with his towering presence at the midnight hour of 21st March 1990. Mandela shaped and consolidated the unshakable bond of friendship between our two countries and people. He will remain in our hearts as a great human being and extraordinary leader.
On behalf of the government and the people of Namibia and indeed on my own behalf please accept our dear condolences and sympathy to the government of South Africa, his widow Graca Machel, his former wife Winnie Mandela, the family and all the people of South Africa. May his soul rest in perfect peace!"
On behalf of the government and the people of Namibia and indeed on my own behalf please accept our dear condolences and sympathy to the government of South Africa, his widow Graca Machel, his former wife Winnie Mandela, the family and all the people of South Africa. May his soul rest in perfect peace!"
PRESS STATEMENT GOVERNMENT OF NAMIBIA
The Government and people of Namibia join the Government and the fraternal people of South Africa and indeed the international community at large in pausing and observing the passing on of Comrade Nelson Mandela on Thursday, 5 December 2013. An icon of the anti-apartheid struggle has gone to rest.
Comrade Nelson Mandela was indeed an extra-ordinary person, a towering giant who dedicated his full life to the freedom and justice of the people of South Africa who were subjected to apartheid oppression.
Because of his commitment to the universal principles of freedom and justice for all mankind, he was incarcerated on Robben Island for many years together with his fellow comrades and our own compatriots, including Comrade Andimba Toivo ya Toivo.
Comrade Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected President of the Republic of South Africa upon his release from prison. He was indeed a true liberation icon, a statesman whose exemplary life and work inspired many, not only in South Africa and in our region, but equally so globally. Comrade Nelson Mandela will be missed not only by those who knew him, and the nation that he served so proudly and loved so deeply, but by millions of people around the world.
On behalf of the Government and people of Namibia, and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to convey our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Government, the entire bereaved family and the people of South Africa.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.