/ 13 May 2008

Mandela warns against divisiveness in SA

Former president Nelson Mandela on Tuesday warned against ''destructive divisiveness'' in the country. ''Remember the horror from which we come.'' Mandela was speaking shortly after receiving the Freedom of the City from Tshwane mayor Gwen Ramokgopa at a private ceremony at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg.

Former president Nelson Mandela on Tuesday warned against ”destructive divisiveness” in the country.

”Remember the horror from which we come. Never forget the greatness of a nation that has overcome its division. Let us never descend into destructive divisiveness.”

Mandela was speaking shortly after receiving the Freedom of the City from Tshwane mayor Gwen Ramokgopa at a private ceremony at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg.

Referring to himself as ”an old man”, Mandela said he had stopped receiving awards but that this award was an exception that he accepted ”warmly and with humility”.

”We accept this honour from the administrative capital of our nation.”

The event was broadcast live to Pretoria’s Church Square and the City Hall. Both venues were a hive of activity with musicians entertaining the crowd.

A group of striking South African Municipal Workers’ Union members earlier disrupted proceedings. — Sapa