11 December 2013 - The Embassy of South Africa today held a memorial service for their deceased former President Nelson Mandela at Freedom Hall in Juba.

Speaker after speaker at the service, attended by Vice President James Wani Igga, senior government officials, UNMISS Chief Hilde F. Johnson, heads of diplomatic missions, religious leaders and South African citizens living in South Sudan, paid tribute to Mandela.

“President Mandela and South Africa set a great example to the South Sudanese people,” said Archbishop Paulino Loro. “We have a shared history… a struggle for justice, rights and peace. It’s an example we should follow.”

South African Ambassador Gabriel Setlhoke said everyone in the world seems to have had a “Mandela moment” – moment when the freedom fighter touched their lives.

“President Mandela belongs not to the people of South Africa, but to all peace loving people,” said Mr. Setlhoke. “There are two ways to spread light – with a candle or with a mirror that reflects it. Mandela was both a candle and a mirror.”

The Ambassador added that Mandela’s beam symbolized his spirit of reconciliation. He noted that world leaders needed to use the fallen President’s famous words to set the tone for maintaining peace.

“I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination,” he quoted. “I have cherished the ideal of a free and democratic society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal I hope to live for and achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Vice President Igga said the departure of the “world’s hero” must be a reminder to everyone of the power of reconciliation, forgiveness, love, humility and selflessness.

During celebrations of International Human Rights Day in Juba yesterday, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General said human rights were at the heart of the South Sudanese struggle as it was for Mandela, who when he became President made the human rights agenda an agenda for all.

“Madiba reconstructed a nation … and he made sure it was built on respect for human dignity and human rights. He made everyone feel they were equals,” said Ms. Johnson. “You are building your new nation. And as with South Africa 20 years ago, make these same principles, your Bill of Rights – for all ,– your most important building stones.”