Vale, Nelson Mandela, Madiba.

 

All around the world people feel the loss of Nelson Mandela.

(Read his speech here that he made from the dock at the opening of his trial on the charge of sabotage, Supreme Court of South Africa, Pretoria, April 20, 1964)

US President Barack Obama eulogized him as “a man who took history in his hands and bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice.” Speaking shortly after South African President Jacob Zuma announced Mandela’s death, Obama called the man for so long known as Prisoner 46664 as “one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this earth. We will not likely see the likes of Nelson Mandela again — so it falls to us as best we can to forward the example that he set: to make decisions guided not by hate, but by love, to never discount the difference that one person can make, to strive for a future that is worthy of his sacrifice.”

Cape Town Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has released a prayer for former president Nelson Mandela:

“Go forth, revolutionary and loving soul, on your journey out of this world,
in the name of God, who created you, suffered with you and liberated you.
Go home Madiba, you have selflessly done all that is good, noble and honourable for God’s people.
We will continue where you have left off, the Lord being our helper."

At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with Nelson Mandela's family, and for the nation of South Africa mourning his loss as 'father of the nation'. His passing will also have a profound impact on diaconal brothers and sisters in South Africa (Methodist Diaconal Order), and in other parts of Africa, for whom Nelson Mandela was an example and inspiration, and  we hold them all in our thoughts and prayers.

Members of DIAKONIA World Federation in Africa: 

Cameroon - Communauté de l'Emmanuel

Egypt: The Coptic Orthodox Community The Daughters of St. Mary

Kenya: National Deaconess Association of ELCK

Madagascar: Fiaraha Miaima Amim Bavaka MAMRE FJKM Mamre Community

Malawi: Churches of Christ in Malawi

Nigeria: Deaconess Order Methodist Church Nigeria

Rwanda: Communauté des Diaconesses “Abaja bakristo” Rubengera

South Africa: The Methodist Diaconal Order

Tanzania: DAYOSIS YA KASKAZINI Ushirika Wa Diaconia Faraja

Tanzania: DAYOSISI Y KASKAZINI Northern Diocese USHIRIKA WA NEEMA

Tanzania: KARAGWE Diocese Umoja Wa Masister, TumshubireNamarila Mother House E.L.C.T.-HWD

Zambia: Deaconesses of the United Church of Zambia