South Africans of all colours spent a second night joined in song, dance and tears in emotional celebrations of the life of the man who bridged their country’s black-white divide.
With the nation still coming to terms with the death of Nelson Mandela’s death at 95, hundreds gathered outside the home where Mr Mandela lived as a young lawyer in Soweto township.
Dailymail UK reports that at his home in the leafy Johannesburg neighbourhood of Houghton, where he spent his last sickly months, more multi-racial crowds remained to pay tribute.
‘What I liked most about Mandela was his forgiveness, his passion, his diversity, the impact of what he did’, said Ariel Sobel, a white man who was born in 1993, a year before Mr Mandela was elected president.
As a dozen doves were released into the sky, people sang tribal songs, the national anthem, God Bless Africa – the anthem of the anti-apartheid struggle – and Christian hymns.
Many wore the traditional garb of the nation’s Zulu, Xhosa and other ethnic groups.
‘He will rule the universe with God’, proclaimed a poster raised aloft by a mourner.
President Jacob Zuma announced a schedule of ceremonies expected to draw huge numbers of world dignitaries and ordinary mourners.
At least, three American presidents will travel to South Africa to attend memorial services.
The White House said Friday that President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama would travel to South Africa next week to pay their respects.
They will be joined on Air Force One by former President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush, who ‘gratefully accepted’ the invitation from the Obamas, a Bush spokesman said.
The White House said travel arrangements were still being made and it was unclear when the Obamas and Bushes would depart.
A memorial service for Mandela will be held Tuesday at a stadium in Johannesburg, followed by a smaller funeral on December 15 in Mandela’s hometown.
Former President Bill Clinton said he also planned to travel to South Africa, along with his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It was unclear whether the Clintons would also fly on Air Force One.
“My whole family will be there’ Clinton said in an interview with CNN. And we’re looking forward to having the chance to say good-bye one last time.”
Obama also invited 89-year-old former President George H.W. Bush to travel with him to South Africa, but a spokesman for the elder Bush said he would not be able to make the trip. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com