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Hoosiers Celebrate Mandela at the Statehouse

Brandon Smith
/
Indiana Public Broadcasting

Indiana political, community and faith leaders gathered at the Statehouse Sunday to mourn the death and celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela.

Though many of the speakers at the service for the late South African leader expressed sorrow at his passing, the focus was on Nelson Mandela’s legacy and the example he set for people across the world. 

Former state representative Bill Crawford was the leader of Indiana’s Free South Africa movement.  He says he’s not grieving because there’s still work to be done.

“One generation plants the trees; another generation enjoys the shade.  What choice are we going to make?” Crawford said. “Are we going to continue Madiba’s struggle not just to plant the tree and walk away but make sure that all generations enjoy the shade?”

Senator Joe Donnelly says while there is sadness, there is also great joy in celebrating such a wonderful life.

“What a giant we have lost but how lucky we were to be in his presence,” Donnelly said.

Donnelly says the lesson Hoosiers should learn from Mandela is that when they look at one another, they should look at the best part of each other.

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.