05-09 2021 21:26
wrote:
After a very sad but also a wonderful day remembering Matt, there is one tribute I would like to add: to celebrate Matthew Nell as a great optimist, who brooked no surrender, despondency or despair. Many shared their experiences of Matthew as guide and problem solver. He always found a practical option, one he believed would convince reasonable people, or at least start a discussion on interests that could come up with a fair outcome. Whenever I went to him depressed about the frustrations and futility of trying to open minds and bring people together, he sat down and worked through all the options with me, always finding a useful way forward. In this way he was a truly great South African, and the influence of his work, although often hidden from public view, will last for many years to come and continue to improve the lives of many, many people.
05-09 2021 21:26
wrote:
After a very sad but also a wonderful day remembering Matt, there is one tribute I would like to add: to celebrate Matthew Nell as a great optimist, who brooked no surrender, despondency or despair. Many shared their experiences of Matthew as guide and problem solver. He always found a practical option, one he believed would convince reasonable people, or at least start a discussion on interests that could come up with a fair outcome. Whenever I went to him depressed about the frustrations and futility of trying to open minds and bring people together, he sat down and worked through all the options with me, always finding a useful way forward. In this way he was a truly great South African, and the influence of his work, although often hidden from public view, will last for many years to come and continue to improve the lives of many, many people.
