Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 18-07-2017
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Fatima Chohan says late former President Nelson Mandela treated everybody equally and with respect regardless of who they were in life.
Chohan was addressing residents of the old age home in Lenasia today as part of Mandela Day.
The event was attended by struggle stalwarts Laloo Isu Chiba, home affairs officials, ward councilors and African National Congress (ANC) member of parliament (MP) Vincent Smith.
Chohan says that South Africans can learn a lot from struggle stalwarts like Ahmed Kathrada, Oliver Tambo, Laloo Isu Chiba and Madiba who had the utmost respect for people.
“In parliament these days people think nothing of insulting their elders. I come from a culture that says even when an older person speaks, you can’t even speak in their presence. You must listen, rightly or wrongly it doesn’t matter.”
She also referred to the recent interview by former president Thabo Mbeki on Power FM indicating how people were duplicitous about him.
“It was amazing to me how many people were praising him when those very people not so long ago were telling us how bad he is, that he is murderer, he doesn’t want to give HIV drugs to people. The same people who got rid of him as president, are now championing his praises.”
Chohan says while humans are fallible, Madiba encouraged people to build bridges regardless of what they’ve done or how they are judged.
To commemorate Mandela Day, Chohan planted a lemon tree in honour of Madiba which was donated by the City of Johannesburg.
Fifty other lemon trees would be planted at the old age home, one for each housing unit.
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