When she heard the news about the passing of former President Nelson Mandela just before midnight, Nontobeko Zulu could not sleep – instead she sat glued to her television screen to get the latest updates on Madiba.

Zulu, 46, was among the many people, who arrived early on Friday morning to Madiba’s house in Houghton, to pay their respects. She brought a bouquet of flowers with her, which she laid at the corner of 12th Street, at Mandela’s house.

“Mandela was my hero. Today I’m a qualified nurse because of him. He opened the doors for us, who were uneducated, and encouraged us to get an education. I went back to school and completed my studies, although I was a grown woman then. I thank him because if it wasn’t for him, I would still be depending on a Social Support Grant to feed my kids.

“I’m working the night shift today but I had to come here and pay my last respects to the great man….I’m very hurt, but at the same time I am happy because he is now resting and I know he is going to heaven,” said Zulu, who works at Helen Joseph Hospital.

A 73-year-old from Alexandra, Emily Letoaba, described Mandela as a selfless person, who brought peace in the country and ensured that South Africans were united.

“On hearing the news about his death, I became restless and memories came flooding back. I thought how blessed we are because of this great man. He united black and white people and taught us to forgive. Even today, we are all here, black and white South Africans to pay our respects for this great man, who was respected by the whole world,” said Letoaba.

Priya Singh, who was carrying a bunch of red roses also couldn’t stop praising the role Mandela played, noting that most people would not have been so forgiving like him, after spending so many years in jail.

“I’m here to pay my respects to Madiba. He was sent to us so that there is peace in this country. And yes, today we are enjoying the fruits of this freedom all because of him…South Africa and the world will definitely miss him. We get comfort knowing that he is now in heaven and his spirit lives on,” a sad Letoaba told SAnews.