NELSON Mandela recited Invictus night after night in his jail cell and this evening Ballarat’s African community will recite the inspiring poem in his honour.
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The gesture will form part of tonight’s Nelson Mandela memorial service at St Paul’s Anglican Church at Bakery Hill.
Nigerian-born Ballarat Anglican Church priest Constantine Osuchukwu said the event was about celebrating Mandela’s life but also learning from the values he represented.
“For me, one was his ability to forgive,” he said. “The day he walked out of that jail he made a decision to leave behind anger and hatred. If he didn’t, he’d be in jail for the rest of his life. “He united a country and created a rainbow nation.”
Fr Constantine said Mandela also taught the world the value of common humanity, that being in it together would always beat going it alone.“All over our city at this time of year, there is a lot of hurt and anger in families,” Fr Constantine said.
“Can we stop for a moment and say ‘how can we heal the hatred of the past?’ he said.”
The memorial service was organised by the Ballarat Anglican Church but anyone is welcome to attend.
The service starts at 7pm at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Humffray Street.
World, page 16
