FAREWELL MADIBA

	FROM THE DESK OF SIPHO NKOSI FAREWELL MADIBA It is with great sadness that we have all learned that our beloved Madiba, former president, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, passed away last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and with all South Africans as we mourn the passing of this great statesman. We pray that the ideals that he strived for and the freedoms he won for the people of South Africa continue to be treasured long after this sad day.  He made such a difference to the lives of so many people…we were blessed to have him with us for so long. And we pray that he rests in peace after all the years that he devoted to the struggle for democracy in South Africa. He lived a remarkable life and has left behind a truly enormous heritage. My sorrow is lightened by the knowledge that he has left many lessons from his life that we can take with us into the future. For us as individuals, and perhaps as an organisation, one lesson I take from his life was that he was all about being pro-active. He didn’t wait for change to happen; he set out to make that change. Another lesson of his that is also close to my own heart is that of education and the development of young people. He said it best on many occasions: ·         “Young people must take it upon themselves to ensure that they receive the highest education possible so that they can represent us well in future as future leaders.” ·         “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ·         “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.” ·         “Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth, those who care for and protect our people.” We at Exxaro will continue his commitment to the youth through our focus on education and the development of young people through our Saturday Schools curricular assistance scheme, our bursary scheme, our learnerships programme, our PIT programme and continuing development. The day Madiba was released from prison was a day of new possibilities for South Africa.  Possibilities that culminated in the formation of Exxaro itself. In his memory, we must continue to focus our efforts on powering new possibilities for this company and this nation. Rest in peace Madiba. We realise that this is a sad moment and time for grieving and therefore wish to remind and advise that grievance counsellors are available for all employees through the Careways employee assistance programme.  You can reach them on 0800 004 770.