ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The following is a letter from West Indies Cricket Board president Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron, to president of Cricket South Africa, Chris Nenzani, on the passing of world figure Mr Nelson Mandela.
Dear President Nenzani,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board, the West Indies team, our management and staff and all stakeholders of West Indies cricket, please accept our deepest condolences on the sad occasion of the departure from this earthly realm of the incomparable world figure Mr Nelson Mandela. We send too our condolences to the entire South African cricketing fraternity, the family, relatives and friends of Mr Mandela, your government and people and cricket fans and supporters.
Mr Mandela’s humanity, fortitude, grace and humility are beyond any comparison.
These values which he has indelibly etched in our hearts and minds through the example of his phenomenal life are viewed by us in West Indies cricket as critical pillars in the development of our game both regionally and globally.
His life has been a source of inspiration for our players, administrators, officials and numerous others involved with West Indies cricket.
We remain particularly honoured that the West Indies was South Africa’s first opponent upon your country’s return to international cricket after Mr Mandela’s release from legal confines.
We are further honoured to have had Mr Mandela’s love and respect for the history and legacy of West Indies cricket, the warmth extended to us and the importance which he always accorded the West Indies.
For these and countless other reasons we too feel a deep sense of loss. Madiba’s life, as you are aware, has deeply impacted and influenced Caribbean life and our people.
The entire region is consumed at this time in both mourning his passing and celebrating his life.
At our meeting of our Board of Directors tomorrow we will formally observe a solemn minute’s silence in honour of Madiba’s life as we join with you and all South Africans and the world in mourning his earthly departure.
As the West Indies is scheduled to tour South Africa in the 2014/2015 season I shall be grateful for our two boards, at an appropriate time, to discuss tangibly a joint initiative to celebrate Mr. Mandela’s life.
Cricket, sport and humanity have all been advanced beyond measure for Madiba’s presence and influence. For this we are eternally grateful. I end by repeating the sentiments of his dear friend, the Dalai Lama.
“He was a man of courage, principle and unquestionable integrity, a great human being, someone of whom we can truly say, ‘He lived a meaningful life’.â€
*Note: President Cameron has also sent a letter of condolence to Graca Machel and the family of Mr Mandela.
