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South Africa Will Not Break Down After Mandela – Ambassador Monaisa

The South African Consul-General in Nigeria, Ambassador Mokgethi Monaisa has assured that South Africa will not break down in crisis after the passing of former … Continue reading South Africa Will Not Break Down After Mandela – Ambassador Monaisa


The South African Consul-General in Nigeria, Ambassador Mokgethi Monaisa has assured that South Africa will not break down in crisis after the passing of former President, Nelson Mandela as feared by many.

As the world continues to mourn former South African President, Nelson Mandela, Channels Television’s weekend breakfast programme, ‘Sunrise’ played host to the Ambassador in company of the country’s Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Thabethe, as both guests took turns to share fond memories of the icon, whom they referred to as irreplaceable.

The visibly confident Ambassador Monaisa said that he was sure that South Africa would not be plunged into another era of problems because of the departure of Nelson Mandela.

“You must remember that the ANC was born before Nelson Mandela was born…and he went on, worked for the ANC and he himself always said nobody is above the ANC. So the ANC will have leadership that will carry the baton.”

“The time when he (Mandela) was handing over power to Thabo Mbeki, many people said he will not fit in Madiba’s shoes, and I remember he used to say he (Mbeki) doesn’t have to fit in his (Madiba’s) shoes because he has his own shoes too. So the leadership of the ANC can come in many colours and they will never allow the ANC to go down. The ANC is too strong for that.”

Speaking further, he said that the ANC is an organisation that has lived over a century, and as such cannot easily break down as there would be many people to “carry the torch forward”

Thabethe also complimented the view that “most South Africans liked Madiba, and they really understood that he wanted to have reconciliation, he wanted peace during his lifetime and they cannot turn back now and then do the opposite.”

Reminiscing on the difficult circumstances that led to fixing the April 27, 1994 date for the South African election, she recounted the role of Nelson Mandela in ensuring that the country moved forward rather than head into another catastrophe. She highlighted the unity that engulfed the country as proof that South Africans were ready for peace.

The minister added that, to keep the legacy of Nelson Mandela, South Africans know they have to hold every election in honour of Madiba and “keep the democracy for Madiba”.

The African National Congress, ANC, is the ruling political party in South Africa which Nelson Mandela was a member of, during his lifetime.