"NO POLITICAL LEADER in living memory has been so genuinely loved and appreciated or touched so many people's lives”, said Cllr Declan Bree, when he proposed a vote of sympathy to the Mandela family and the people of South Africa at yesterday’s meeting of Sligo County Council.
"Nelson Mandela’s death marks an end to the life of one of the greatest revolutionaries of the 20th century. He was an exceptional human being.” said Cllr Bree
"He made a huge impact, not just in South Africa but worldwide, through his beliefs, wisdom, leadership, integrity, and sacrifice.
"No political leader in living memory has been so genuinely loved and appreciated or touched so many people's lives.
"But it was not always so. Mandela rose to political prominence when most of Africa still toiled under colonial dictatorships and when Apartheid South Africa was a close ally of the colonial and imperialist powers including Britain and the United States.
"Despite spending decades incarcerated in apartheid prisons, he remained unbowed and unbroken.
"Nelson Mandela embodied the struggle to overthrow apartheid. His generosity, openness and willingness to forgive have helped shape the image of what is now called the rainbow nation – South Africa.
"Nelson Mandela lived and sacrificed for all the people of South Africa and inspired people throughout the world with his courage and humanity.” said Cllr Bree.
Cllr Bree proposed “That Sligo County Council extends its deepest sympathy to the Mandela family, to the African National Congress and to the Government and people of South Africa on the death of “Madiba” Nelson Mandela.” The motion was seconded by Cllr Sean MacManus and was unanimously adopted.