PARLIAMENT last evening observed a minute of silence in honour of the late Mr. Nelson Mandela.

And Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Leader of the Opposition Mr. David Granger and member of the Alliance For Change, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo also paid tributes to him, recognizing the legacy of the late Mr. Nelson Mandela.
Minister Birkett said that as President, Mr Mandela demonstrated through his wise leadership his immense capacity for consensus building and for reconciliation as he guided the new democratic nation of South Africa.
She said that his Excellency, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, former President of the Republic of South Africa, was a great yet humble man; a man full of pride in his country, yet modest over the immeasurable contribution which he made to change the course of its history from being bound by the cords of apartheid and propelling it onto a path of unity in diversity, respect for humanity and fairness, equality and justice.
This was the man who laid the foundation for a democratic South Africa.
She said that his sincerity for people – not just for South Africans – was even more firmly validated when, following his first and only term as President, he formed an independent group of eminent global leaders – the Elders – who would offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity.
Leader of the Opposition David Granger also paid glowing tribute to the “extraordinary life” of the late anti-apartheid hero.
He said that Mandela’s life taught the world that in building a nation, reconciliation should replace recrimination and revenge, and that progress could only grow out of inclusionary democracy and not out of exclusionary politics.
He extended the gratitude of the Parliamentary Opposition for the life of Mr. Nelson Mandela.
He said: “We bewail his death we celebrate his life we venerate his legacy.”
Mr. Nagamootoo described Mandela as a great son of the earth.

Mr. Nagamootoo stressed that it was Mr. Mandela’s willingness to negotiate with his former captors that “changed the course of South Africa’s history”.

(Clifford Stanley)