These included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Charlize Theron, Philip Tobias, John Kani ,Graham Pollock, Jonathan Zaphiro, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Gary Bailey, Justice Albie Sachs, Lucas Radebe, Raymond Ackerman and Chester Williams among others.
The painting 'Ndiwelimilambo Enamagama', a phrase derived from Mandela's home town in the Eastern Cape, meaning "a great man that has crossed many rivers," developed by artist Andy Robertson from Glyphic Evolution was unveiled.
"Our approach has been to look specifically at the idea of a living icon and the legacy that exists beyond that," said Craig Hazel, business director of Glyphic Evolution. "We worked with many of the tributes, all of which are a testament to the profound effect Mandela's legacy has on people everywhere. The painting was created using the boxing philosophy of sparring, all because of a chance encounter that the artist had with Mandela," he explained. The painting was accepted by Mandela's grandson, Ndaba Mandela.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka, performed her "Man of the World" and PJ Powers sang her song "The World in Union." The evening ended as Yoliswa Mzwakali (the little girl pictured in the bank's recent TV advert) sang the national anthem, with guests spontaneously joining in.
The event took place on on Tuesday, 21 June 2011.
Tributes can still be sent in via SMS to 43124 (standard rates apply), or tribute@fnb.co.za. All tributes will be published in a commemorative book that will be given to Madiba and the Nelson Mandela Foundation as a symbol of a nation's gratitude for what he has done for South Africa.
