Moi eulogises Madiba as a selfless leader

By PAUL MUTUA

Former President Moi has said Nelson Mandela’s demise had cast a dark cloud of misery over Africa and other continents, which value freedom and human dignity.

Joining world leaders in mourning the first black President of South Africa, Moi hailed the fighting spirit of Mandela and especially the move to put his life on the line to conquer apartheid

“The dismantling of apartheid in South Africa immortalised Madiba’s fighting spirit and the lofty ideals he stood for, fought for and offered, if necessary, to die for,” said Moi of the anti-apartheid icon who he hosted at his Kabarak home months after his release from Robben Island prison.

Mandela visited Moi High School Kabarak, where he gave a talk to students. Moi described Mandela as a leader who had a rare personality that was hard to find especially among political leaders. “I thank God that Mandela lived to attain his objective of a free South Africa to crown the political independence of the African continent”.

He added: “By forgiving his tormentors, Mandela exhibited a rare nobility of the human soul, thus giving a unique identity to South Africa”.

“I send my condolences to the bereaved family, the Government and the people of South Africa for the loss of this veritable Pan-African patriarch”.

Meanwhile, former VP and CORD deputy principal Kalonzo Musyoka described the late Nelson Mandela as a consummate politician, pragmatic leader and a giant of the 20th and 21st centuries.