Mandela’s life is lesson for youth - Miss World Africa

She said the former South African leader had proved that one man could, indeed, influence the lives of millions of people all over the world and that should shape and inspire present generations and beyond.

Naa Okailey made these comments yesterday when she signed the book of condolence opened in honour of President Mandela at the South African High Commission in Accra.

 “We, as youth and future leaders, need to take a cue from the life of Madiba as a selfless, honest and generous leader to enable us to correct the wrongs of our elders and leaders,” she said.

Love 

Ms Shooter stated that President Mandela had every reason to hate, but instead, he chose to love and live a life worthy of emulation by all and sundry.

She urged the youth to remind themselves of the essence of leadership anytime they mentioned “the name of the global peace icon whose demise has united the whole world, whose death has brought issues across the world to a standstill and rekindled the spirit of unity and love for all”.

She said one of her favourite quotes from the late Mandela was “As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself... Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty and of humility.”

Ms Shooter asserted that President Mandela stood up for what was right and defended the defenceless, adding, “What made him unique was the fact that he served mankind faithfully and diligently, without claiming any monetary reward for himself, and his great principles of equality, respect for one another and moral fortitude will continue to guide Africa and the world.”