By Maria Nassiwa
The Kyabazinga of Busoga has hailed the late South African leader, Nelson Mandela as a true icon of Pan Africanism.
Speaking from South Africa where he is attending celebrations commemorating 100 years since Nelson Mandela’s birth, His Royal Highness, William Nadiope IV said, it was worth being a part of the contrary celebrations because Madiba represented not only the African traditions as a royal but the true spirit of Pan Africanism.
“Mandela was a global icon as manifested in his deeds. No wonder the UN General Assembly, in appreciation of what he did for humanity, declared July 18 an International Mandela Day.
“He managed his own lane at a pace worth pursuing. He lived true to his word and his legacy will live forever,” the Kyabazinga told Eagle Online.
The Kyabazinga was invited to the celebrations by the head of the Royal House of Mandela, the Royal Highness Nkosi Mandela.
The celebrations in Mvezo in Eastern Cape, the birth place of Mandela were done by the royal house of Mandela and the Universal Peace Federation under the theme, “ The Liberation, The Icon, The Stateman, The Humanitarian The legacy.”
His Royal Highness Mandela said his grandfather did what was of his duty as he advocated for peace, progress, and prosperity for all.
“When a man has done what is considered to be his duty to his people and his country he can rest in peace,” he said, encouraging South Africans, Africa and the entire world to carry on his grandfather’s message of freedom.
“We are duty bound to carry such message to the entire African content to which we owe our freedom and the entire world,” Nkosi said.
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa narrated Nelson Mandela’s journey from the time he was in prison till he came to power.
Earlier on, in Johannesburg, former USA president Barack Obama delivered the 16th Nelson Mandela Lecture where he considered him as an icon despite the heavy burdens he carried.
“It is important to remember nelson Mandela as an icon because of his humor despite the heavy burdens he carried, he loved Africa and we learn so much from him,” Obama said.
Also as part of the celebrations, Kenyan Law Scholar Patrick Loch Othieno Lumumba delivered a Nelson Mandela Lecture at Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha, South Africa.
“I want to remind us that nelson Mandela was an icon and icons never die. He was larger than life and larger than death itself,” Lumumba said of Mandela.
Nelson Mandela was South Africa’s first black president having ascended to power in 1994 after serving 27 years at Robben Island jail for fighting against apartheid.
He died in 20013 aged 93. This year makes 100 birth years of Africa’s liberation icon and different activities, including opening a Nelson Mandela museum in London, have been organized around the world to commemorate his life.