A Brief from Niagara At Large
Below are statements from Ontario’s premier and the leaders of the opposition provincial parties upon hearing of the death of Nelson Mandela
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said Mandela’s life will continue to serve as a beacon for change.
Nelson Mandela
“There are few people who have done more to inspire the world than Nelson Mandela, and I am deeply saddened to learn of his death,” Wynne said in a statement.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said Mandela’s life will continue to serve as a beacon for change.
“There are few people who have done more to inspire the world than Nelson Mandela, and I am deeply saddened to learn of his death,” Wynne said in a statement.
.NDP Leader Andrea Horwath’s statement on the passing of Nelson Mandela
“On behalf of New Democrats, I am saddened to hear of the passing of an exceptional leader, man and legend, Nelson Mandela.
He was the father of a nation, who changed people’s lives around the world. He was a symbol of courage, freedom and justice. He taught us how to live with grace and dignity, and without bitterness.
As the world mourns his loss, he will continue to be a source of inspiration to us all.”
The following is a statement by Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak on the death of Nelson Mandela.
“While the entire world knew this day would come, it was nevertheless sad to hear of the passing of Nelson Mandela today in Johannesburg, South Africa.
When South African President Jacob Zuma announced Mr. Mandela’s death, he spoke for millions of South Africans and the billions around the world when he said that his “nation had lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.”
Mr. Mandela was truly a great man, as his prominence as an international figure of internal strength and democratic determination will attest.
From days when he was first noticed as a leading human rights advocate in the often violent anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, to those 27 years as the world’s best-known political prisoner, to his Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, and finally to his 1994 election as South Africa’s first democratically-elected president, Nelson Mandela built a legacy that will forever be a major chapter in our global history.
As Mr. Mandela himself put it, “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”
Today is a sad day for much of our world, but the world is also a better place because of this one man.”
(Niagara At Large invites you to share your views on this post. A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who share their first and last name with them.)
Niagara At Large 
Of the great leaders Mandela admired: Fidel Castro, Moammar Qaddafi, Yasser Arafat and Saddam Hussein, only Castro is left.
In 1991 when he and Winnie went to what they called their “second home” – Cuba – to celebrate the revolution with Fidel Castro. In his speech Mandela said:
“Long live the Cuban Revolution. Long live comrade Fidel Castro… Cuban internationalists have done so much for African independence, freedom, and justice. We admire the sacrifices of the Cuban people in maintaining their independence and sovereignty in the face of a vicious imperialist campaign designed to destroy the advances of the Cuban revolution. We too want to control our destiny… There can be no surrender. It is a case of freedom or death. The Cuban revolution has been a source of inspiration to all freedom-loving people.”
In May of 1990 Mandela, visiting America, Mandela went on record, referring to Cuba:
There’s one thing where that country stands out head and shoulders above the rest. That is in its love for human rights and liberty.
A week later in Libya, he lauded Qaddafi’s:
Committment to the fight for peace and human rights in the world.
LikeLike
Mandela’s death is a great loss to the world. A very strong light has been diminished leaving the world a little darker. Let’s hope his example will light the many small lights so that we can, without him, see our way clear.
LikeLike
Politicians are great at pointing out other’s virtues and flaws, especially after they die, while refusing to acknowledge their own flaws or putting their own few virtues to good use. All talk & no action.
Just a note. Has anyone noticed in Kathleen Wynne’s ad, where she “loves running”, that she’s running on the wrong side of the road. Everyone her age should know you run/walk facing traffic. Gawd, can she get anything right? Sort of like the braille document sent to disabled people stating the government strives to give opportunities to the disabled. The problem is the braille was flat. How helpful to the blind! Sort of like a bicycle for a fish.
LikeLike