South African students in the UK remember Nelson Mandela
6th December 2013
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As the world mourns Nelson Mandela, South African students and graduates in Britain have been remembering their country’s first black president. We asked some of them what his passing means to them.
Cindy Smith, 26, was brought up in South Africa and has an MSc in Economics and Econometrics from Nottingham University. She is Cape Coloured – of mixed race ethnicity, a group that was defined as ‘coloured’ under apartheid.
She says: “Mandela was, and will always be a great leader and a symbol of those who fought for freedom of our nation.
“I remember as a child walking in the streets of Cape Town with my parents, celebrating Mandela's presidency and you could feel the excitement in the air; it was the day a nation and my own destiny changed. It wasn't just the act of becoming president, but his humility, kindness and forgiveness changed the hearts of a nation.
“I am proud to be South African and Mandela has always inspired me to fight against inequality and social injustice. I hope his legacy will continue to influence the direction of our country and that future generations will learn about our heritage and the sacrifices made for freedom.”

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