A few minutes past the 6th December 2013 midnight hour, i saw a re-tweet announcing the untimely death of Africa’s greatest leader, Nelson Mandela ,95 — the legendary leader of South Africa.
The message sent strong shockwaves across my entire body. Motionless, i stood. As i read the message, another tweet from Jacob Zuma and yet another from Zambian football legend, Kalusha Bwalya came in and i confirmed the death of an icon who loved sports throughout his life.
“The founding president and father of our beloved nation has departed”, Zuma tweeted before he addressed the public live on television.
Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala:
Over 33 million Ugandans and billions across the world will receive this message with the shock i experienced. For the Ugandans, there is a living legacy that will remain in the country for ages. The 40,000 seater stadium located on the outskirts of Bweyogerere, Kampala remains the only internationally recognized stadium in the country.
South Africa’s George Washington:
Nelson Mandela having been democratically voted in 1994, sought for only one term in office. Like Andrew Young put it minutes after his death, he played a fundamental role in helping South Africa host the 1996 Rugby and 2010 Football world cup tournaments.
“His spiritual sounding and strong was more felt than the physical presence”, Young said, of the former leader who was imprisoned for 27 years on the Robbin Islands in South Africa.
Barack Obama capped it all.”Today he has gone home, we have lost the most influential. His journey from prison to president shows an example to us all. May God keep him in peace”, the US president said minutes after Jacob Zuma’s message.
At a time when the CECAFA senior challenge cup is being played in Nairobi, Africa’s oldest tourney has received a shock owing to the passing of the legend, a true pan-African, a role model and a gallant freedom fighter.
The gallant freedom fighter, you are gone too soon, at 95 years, we still desired to be with. Rest in Peace.
