SOUTH AFRICAN TAMIL FEDERATION CALLS ON PEOPLE TO EMULATE THE LIFE OF NELSON MANDELA

The South African Tamil Federation(SATF) has called on the people of the country to emulate the "unique leadership, tolerance and selflessness" of freedom icon, Nelson Mandela, "in order to ensure that his legacy lives on and to contribute to our development, sustaining the progressive improvement and advancement of our communities and our country". The SATF president, Mr Karthi Moothsamy, made the call following the passing away of Mandela at the age of 95 at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on the night of Thursday, December 5 2013. DEEPEST SYMPATHY Mr Moothsamy, who recently took over the presidency of the SATF at a meeting in Durban, issued a statement of "deepest sympathy" on behalf of his Executive Council, Trustees, National Councillors of the South African Tamil Federation, and SATF affiliates in the Eastern, Western Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng. "Since his hospitalisation earlier this year, many have been expecting the inevitable, but nobody could have fathomed the great loss we now feel and face today," said Mr Moothsamy. Describing the founding president of our new democratic South Africa as a "sterling and revered gentleman", Mr Moothsamy said Mandela was "not only the founding father of our nation, but an iconic and inspirational figure to the world".

GREAT RESPECT "He was always considered with great respect, a fatherly advisory and a highly-significant contributor to the development of our Rainbow Nation. "During our paralysing political turbulence, Mandela essentially did the only thing necessary for our political freedom: - he took an unprecedented humanitarian stand against all odds and adversaries. Following that he moved forward demonstrating an immense capacity of forgiveness, restoration and renewal, uniting and leading us into a brighter future, for which we will forever be indebted, be comforted and will be celebrating the legacy he has now left behind." Mr Moothsamy added: "Mandela’s greatest achievement is not the 'long walk to freedom', but rather the way in which he walked it - demonstrating compassion, humility and especially, being the greatest humanitarian in our lifetime. He exemplified a sense of unity and strength by inviting us on the walk with him.

UNIQUE LEADERSHIP, TOLERANCE AND SELFLESSNESS "We, therefore, invite the people of our country to emulate his unique leadership, tolerance and selflessness in order to ensure that his legacy lives on and to contribute to our development, sustaining the progressive improvement and advancement of our communities and our country. "We strongly believe that the spirit of the deceased will always survive in the memories of the living and we surrender that all who had crossed the path of the late Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, during his lifetime, will undoubtedly miss him, and we pray to 'Almighty God' to grant the bereaved family, friends, colleagues and the entire country all the courage, strength, fortitude and peace to overcome their irreplaceable loss. "

Mr Moothsamy quoted the South Indian Poet and Philosopher, Thiruvalluvar, to highlight the sacrifices and the immense contribtions made by Mandela on behalf of the people of South Africa. This is the quote: "The lotus flower rises to the level of water, the greatness of men rise with mental strength." Mr Moothsamy said as South Africans mourned the passing away "of one of the most profound personalities in our lifetime", they should not "belabour our differences, our weaknesses, our cultural diversities or status in society, but collectively celebrate what unites us as a nation - our Past, our Present and our Future. Nkosi Sikeleli South Africa."