Former president Nelson Mandela was the father of the nation, the country’s leader and an icon, North West legislature speaker Supra Mahumapelo said on Saturday.

“Motivated by his love for humanity, president Mandela ensured that even though government was under the rule of the majority, it remained accountable to the people,” he said.

Mandela epitomised transformational leadership whose values transcended beyond his own need for the greater good of humanity.

“In his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in 1993, Mandela urged the rest of the world to fight racism, wherever it found resonance,” said Mahumapelo.

“Under his presidency, we (saw) the enactment and the repeal of discriminatory laws which sought to divide the people of our country along racial lines.”

North West had benefited from Mandela’s commitment and contribution to South Africa’s liberation struggle and it was now a place for all South Africans, where everyone’s potential was realised.

“Equally, the fruits of democracy have restored our dignity as a people,” said Mahumapelo.

“As the North West provincial legislature, we have learned from Nelson Mandela’s leadership which is underpinned by generosity of spirit, authenticity and moral authority that transcends human divisiveness.” – Sapa