In rememberance: Wally Serote, Nelson Mandela and Gabriel Dichabe hold hands at Isivivane, a symbolic resting place of those who sacrificed their lives for the struggle

Former president Nelson Mandela visited Freedom Park in Pretoria on Thursday, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said in a statement.

"Madiba was moved by what he saw... particularly by the wall of remembrance dedicated to South Africans who fought against apartheid."

Madiba's visit to the park, his first, came 10 years after he uttered these words: "The day should not be far off when we shall have a people's shrine... a freedom park, where we shall honour with all the dignity they deserve, those who endured pain so we should experience the joy of freedom".

True to his words, struggle heroes who sacrificed their lives for South Africa's freedom have been honoured at the park since it was opened in December 2007.

Among the 71,832 names inscribed on the park's wall of fame are the Eastern Cape's Cradock Four - Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli.

The park's chief executive, Dr Wally Serote "showed Madiba around the park and expressed his gratitude that Madiba had made time to come and visit since he served as the pioneer of the concept of Freedom Park", the foundation said.

Serote described the park as "a permanent reminder for us, now and for future generations that South Africans did take a step forward to put closure to the past while not forgetting it".

Sapa

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