If you ignore the fact that its 'our' Lucas who has laid down those moving words, it looks to me to be the prose of a future leader of a country!!
On 6 Dec 2013, at 11:06, Dr Michael Benjamin <[email protected]> wrote: > A very moving tribute.... > > *LEEDS United legend Lucas Radebe has sent a moving message to the family > of Nelson Mandela.* > > Radebe, a native of Soweto, had become close to the South African leader - > and Mandela once joked that the player was his personal hero. > > The former president and Radebe joined forces with David Beckham at a press > conference in support of South Africa’s campaign to host the 2010 World Cup. > > Today, in a letter posted on his website and addressed to “Tata” (Father), > Radebe wrote: > > Dearest Tata, > > There is much I want to say to you, and regret I will no longer have the > chance. Having said that, I feel privileged to have known you, and to have > benefited from your wisdom and example. > > You taught me lessons of leadership, humility, generosity, courage and > integrity. To say that you inspired me and my generation, would be an > understatement. > > My career would not have been possible but for you. The chance of playing > at the highest level in football outside of South Africa did not exist > before your release from prison. When times were tough in my early days in > Leeds, away from South Africa, I drew motivation from your courage and > tenacity. When captaining teams, whether Bafana Bafana or Leeds United, you > were my role model for leadership. Your ability to bring people together > for a common cause, despite their differences, was a great gift. > > I think I speak for every player who pulled on a Bafana Bafana, Springbok > or Protea jersey, and any other South African sportsperson, when I say that > we never ever played just for ourselves or even our country. We played for > you and the special ideals that you stood for. You taught me how sport > could be an indomitable force for social change, and how it could impact > individuals, communities and nations. > > I was so proud to welcome you to Leeds, my home away from home, and I know > the pride you felt in my accomplishments. It was so humbling. You will > never know how much that visit meant to Feziwe and me. It was a day that > will forever be etched in my mind. I always felt special that you had your > own name for me, Mthimkhulu. > > I know children were at the heart of your philanthropic vision and I > promise to continue working in your image to motivate, help and galvanize > South Africa’s next generation. Part of your legacy is that so many of us > are stirred to carry the torch. > > The sports history books in South Africa will show statistics and > victories. What they won’t show, however, was that it was Madiba Magic that > forged those results and performances; and united a country and its people > along the way. No doubt, that Madiba Magic will live on. Thank you Tata. > > Much love, > > Lucas Radebe > Dr Michael Benjamin, > Community Psychiatrist > ------------------------------- > myRay: On-line Self-Help CBT > http://www.myRay.com > http://www.myRay.org > ------------------------------ > Mental Health: > http//www.MyDoctorExplains.com > -------------------------------- > Auditing || Quality Control > http://www.MyDoctorExplains.com/alamo/ > -------------------------------- > Blog: > http://www.DrMichaelBenjamin.com > _______________________________________________ > Leedslist mailing list > Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist > To unsubscribe, email [email protected] > > John 'Grampa' Sykes > Rest In Peace old lad > 28th Oct 1938 - 12 Nov 2013 > MARCHING ON TOGETHER > _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected] John 'Grampa' Sykes Rest In Peace old lad 28th Oct 1938 - 12 Nov 2013 MARCHING ON TOGETHER
