Book of condolence remains open for another week

Jenny McGovern

“Madiba was the eye of the storm that blew apartheid away.” This is just one of the many moving messages which were penned in the book of condolence opened in Cavan Courthouse for the late South African President Nelson Mandela.
The esteem in which the world leader was held in County Cavan was reflected in both the number and content of the messages that filled the book in the days after Mandela’s passing, aged 95. People have travelled from across the county to extend their sympathy to the anti-apartheid hero. With the book open to the public for just four days over 300 signatures filled the book.
The book of condolence remains open in Cavan Courthouse until Friday, December 19. It will then be delivered to the South African Embassy in Dublin.
Some of the messages of support from the people of Cavan read:
“To the father of the Rainbow Nation; I will always remember your cell on Robben Island. Your country needs to work to honour your values and life’s work.”
“Your work will not be forgotten, you are an example to the world. RIP MADIBA”
“When a light shines, nothing can snuff it out.”
“Hamba Khale Tata… (which means ‘go well father’) RIP Father of a nation.”