NELSPRUIT – Members of the provincial legislature officially opened the mourning centre at Nelspruit Civic Centre this afternoon. Mourners in Mpumalanga’s capital will be able to pay their last respects to late president Nelson Mandela here until his funeral on December 15.
The ceremony was attended by the premier, Mr David Mabuza, and members of his cabinet, who wrote messages in the condolence register. here is a national and provincial book and these are to be archived. Each mourning centre has such a book where those paying their respects can write messages.
They can also lay down flowers or mementos. These are eventually to be transported to Mbombela Stadium where a night vigil is planned for the day before Madiba’s state funeral.
The mourning centres were announced yesterday. In Mbombela, the KaNyamazane, Matsulu and Manzini halls will be open. It is planned that the centres be open from 08:00-19:00 daily, but updates on that will be provided.
In Thaba Chweu Municipality, mourners can vist the town halls in Lydenburg, Sabie and Graskop as well as the Reroro Community Hall. The Marite Community Hall, Mirriam Mokgakane Hall, Margareth Hall, Mhlanga Hall and Mkhuhlu Community Hall will be used in Buskbuckridge Municipality.
In Nkomazi Muncipality, the Kamhlushwa, Schoemansdal, Masibekela and Dludluma halls will be used. The Umjindi Community Hall, Town Council Hall and Captiville Hall will be in official use.
On Saturday, Madiba was still trending on Twitter in South Africa. Condolences for the former statesman have streamed in. Read the messages from the mayors of Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Nkomazi Municipality and Umjindi Municipality.
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