Within the hour of Nelson Mandela’s death being made known, Glasgow’s Lord Provost Sadie Docherty paid tribute to South Africa’s father of democracy.
She said: “The world has lost a true political and moral icon. Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to bringing freedom, justice and equality to the people of South Africa.
“His beliefs cost him years of his own freedom but his vision for peace and democracy prevailed. His legacy will live on and inspire generations to come.
“Glasgow was proud to be the first city in the world to honour him with a Freedom of the City award and he will be sadly missed by a city which had the greatest of respect for him.”
A book of condolence, with the Lord Provost as the first to sign, will be available in the city chambers foyer, situated beneath a plaque commemorating the 30th anniversary of Glasgow awarding Mandela the Freedom of the City. It was unveiled in 2011 by Denis Goldberg, a fellow defendant at the now infamous Rivonia trial.
The plaque is engraved with words Mandela spoke from the dock during that trial on 20 April 1964. “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
The City Chambers flag will fly at half mast in respect of Mandela’s passing and will remain at half mast until his funeral.
