Chester tributes to death of Nelson Mandela

A CHESTER politician has today paid tribute to Nelson Mandela who has died at the age of 95.

[caption id="attachment_761" align="alignright" width="238"] Nelson Mandela (picture by Festival Karsh Ottawa)[/caption]

Mandela was the first black president of South Africa and was an inspiration to millions across the globe.A lawyer, a Nobel-Prize winner, a prisoner and an activist, Mandela sadly died yesterday (Wednesday) at his home after a long-term lung illness.

Chester conservative MP Stephen Mosley made a statement on his website after hearing the sad news:  “Nelson Mandela was a titan among men – and his death is rightly being mourned around the world.”

He continued: “His journey, from Robben Island to the Presidency of his country, is an inspiration for all of us. It demonstrates that freedom and democracy will always beat subjugation and oppression.”

A service of national mourning will be held at a 95,000-seater stadium in Johannesburg on Monday.

Mandela’s body will then lie in state in Pretoria before being taken to the village of Qunu, where he grew up, for a state funeral.

Mr Mosley also spoke of how we can all learn from Mandela’s life: “His legacy offers a profile in courage and forgiveness we can all learn from today and for all time; the story of a man who overcame all obstacles to achieve true greatness.”

Chester Intelligencer, Amy Holland