The Embassy of the State of Palestine to South Africa sends its sincere condolences to the Mandela family and the South African people and leadership on the passing of the great leader and son of Africa, Nelson Mandela.

His teachings of bravery and compassion will live on, particularly in the hearts of the Palestinian people.

Nelson Mandela was a great leader who stood out for his courage and determination to free his people from the injustice legislated upon them during the harsh Apartheid-era with wisdom and care for humanity. He taught the world the true meaning of a hero.

The Palestinian leadership, led by Mahmoud Abbas, is grieved by the loss of the inspirational leader Nelson Mandela and has declared a day of mourning in Palestine. This is signified by the Palestinian leadership’s order for all flags of the State of Palestine to be lowered to half-mast.

As President Mahmoud Abbas mentioned, the Palestinian people are mourning the loss of the great international leader. Mandela’s life and teachings stood and will continue to stand as a hope for the Palestinian people and whose approach to injustice stands as a model to Palestine.

Nelson Mandela was a man with high values and principles who not only fought the injustice of his own people but also the injustice subjugated on those worldwide, particularly on the Palestinian people. Mandela played a pivotal role in the Palestinian struggle for freedom. In his famous quote, Mandela said: “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians”. He was one of the bravest and most important men in the world who supported the Palestinian people in their right to self-determination. His efforts and compassion for the Palestinian cause will be forever appreciated.

The Embassy of the State of Palestine in South Africa is sure that the seed of solidarity with the Palestinian people planted by Nelson Mandela will grow on through South Africa at large. The Embassy of Palestine would also like to thank South Africa for its strong position in favour of Palestine and for honouring the Palestinian people with the support from its greatest leader.

The loss of Nelson Mandela reminds Palestinians of the loss of the great Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Both leaders fearlessly defied domination and intimidation from their respective oppressors and selflessly put their lives in stake to defend their people. They were exceptionally brave men whose efforts will not be forgotten.

The Embassy of the State of Palestine once again conveys its heartfelt condolences to the Mandela family, the brave leadership of South Africa, the ANC, the South African people and to the world at large for this painful loss. May Almighty God help ease your and our mourning and may the legacy of Nelson Mandela live on forever.