Mandela memorial: Celebrating an icon of freedom and equality |12 December 2013

President James Michel on Tuesday joined a host of other world leaders to attend the memorial ceremony held in honour of Nelson Mandela in South Africa, where he has reiterated the deepest sympathies of the Seychellois people to the people and government of South Africa.

"We mourn the loss of a great leader. But we also celebrate a life which represents the highest ideals of the human spirit. A life which reminds us that perseverance, determination and humility allow us to scale even the most treacherous obstacles. We treasure his message and his legacy - and we know that he will always be with us," the President stated.

The ceremony at Soweto's FNB Stadium was attended by over 100 heads of state and government from around the world.

It featured addresses from the President of the United States, the Vice-President of China, the President of Brazil, the President of Namibia, the President of India, the President of Cuba as well as the chairperson of the African Union and friends and relatives of the Mandela family.

In his keynote speech, South African President Jacob Zuma underlined the role that Mr Mandela played to liberate South Africa, as well as Africa and the world from the forces of oppression.

He informed the gathering that Mr Mandela will lie in state at the Union Building in Pretoria, symbolising the transformation of the state institutions from instruments of power and oppression to instruments of emancipation and participation.

"This event serves as a further tribute to the indomitable spirit of freedom and equality that will forever be preserved in President Mandela's legacy. Seychelles was proud to be a part of it, as we have walked alongside him on his historic journey. And we shall continue to walk his path with the pride and dignity that he taught us," he said.