Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: Omanis and residents are paying tribute to Nelson Mandela, in honour of the late leader’s upcoming UN Mandated day this July 18.
Affectionately known as ‘Madiba’, Mandela’s special mandated day celebrates his legacy of peace, forgiveness, and hope on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Recalling Mandella, Quintus Swart, Food and Drinks Manager at the Radisson Blu, said, “I had the great privilege to have met Madiba twice in my life at the hotel where I worked. After each visit to our hotel, he would ask to thank and shake each staff members’ hand. This included all staff, from the person cleaning floors to the general manager. He taught me that respect is earned by being humble and showing respect to all, no matter who you are or what your social standing in life is.”
Mandella’s daily actions united a nation and he became loved and respected by all, regardless of South Africa’s terrible history of apartheid. I so often am reminded of how we, as South Africans, respected our leader Nelson Mandela , when I hear how all Omani people speak with such high respect of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.”
Abdullah, an Omani from Sur, shared that sentiment, noting, “His reputation for promoting peace, no matter the odds, reminds me of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. In fact, Mandela was a guest of the His Majesty here in Muscat.”
This year, the UN is calling on people around the world to devote 67 minutes to helping others on International Nelson Mandela Day, one minute for every year Mandela, himself, spent serving mankind. The day is an opportunity to remind others that they can help, however small a gesture. Individuals can serve in their own communities, their own streets or backyards.
Heidi Manus, a South African Lecturer at the Higher College of Technology, added, “Nelson Mandela was one of the greatest men in the world, yet he visited my humble home in Cape Town on two occasions. What this has taught me is that no matter how great a person or how high they rise, humility, kindness, generosity and love are what makes people follow them.”
“This is what Nelson Mandela did, he inspired a nation and he inspired the world, and on the of July 18, the world over, people pledge their time for 67 minutes, because of this great man.”
Ntokoza Mabida, reflecting on what his legacy means to South Africans now, told the Times of Oman, “For me he meant, and still means, that no matter how bleak the situation may seem, one must never lose sight of the bigger picture. In greatness there still can be love and forgiveness, caring and sacrifice.
“If we all embrace each other earnestly and work diligently, the future of our rainbow nation will be promising. We all must take responsibility for a positive change. After all, he did.” In commemoration of the special day, South Africa’s ambassador to Oman, Manabile Shogole, will sponsor a programme to carry out community work with members of the South African community.
