NELSON MANDELA: SOS Children’s Villages mourns the loss of a great friend and role model

It is with great sorrow that SOS Children’s Villages learns of the death of one our greatest supporters and friends, Nelson Mandela – father of modern South Africa, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and global icon of freedom and human rights.

‘Nelson Mandela was a man who taught us the value of forgiveness’, said SOS Children’s Villages President Siddhartha Kaul. ‘SOS Children’s Villages in South Africa experienced his affection and love for children on numerous occasions and we join everyone in prayers for his family’.

SOS Children’s Villages is honoured that Mr Mandela was a supporter of our organisation in South Africa and the world. In 1996, he attended the opening ceremony of the SOS Children’s Village Cape Town, declaring that its nurturing approach reflected the vision and ideals of the South Africa he was building.

We took heart when he said, “It is my hope that within this community a culture of understanding, acceptance and love can be nurtured. Let this Children’s Village be an example of tolerance and reconciliation so that we, as adults can learn from these children.”

Madiba, as he was respectfully called by many, will remain an unforgotten inspiration and role model to the children of South African SOS Children’s Villages, whom he once addressed directly as “the future of South Africa. The hope of our rainbow nation.”