NELSPRUIT – The late Nelson Mandela’s funeral could surpass that of the funeral of Pope John Paul II with more than 70 heads of state confirmed to arrive in the country.
This past weekend all 126 embassies were open to process the visas of international guests.
US President Barack Obama and other former presidents of that country are among these guests. French President François Hollande? and his predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy, as well as the leaders of Venezuela, Spain and Singapore are among the confirmed while Prince Charles will reportedly represent Buckingham Palace at the funeral.?
A series of memorials have been announced in the run-up to the former South African leader’s funeral this coming Sunday in the village of Qunu. Mandela died at the age of 95 at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, last Thursday night.
Parliament’s programme in honour of the former president started in earnest on Monday with the presiding officers leading the placement of flowers at a designated space within the precinct. Ten days of mourning have already been declared.
The service, which is still in the planning stages, will be a state affair and it will be aired live at Mbombela Stadium. A massive memorial service was held at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday and also several other services across the country at various stadiums.
From Wednesday, Mandela’s body will lie in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria – while further memorial services are held throughout the country.
His body will then be taken to Qunu for the funeral.
The ceremony will be rehearsed by the South African military several days before the service, which will be held at the Union Buildings amphitheatre and aired on large screens.
Mourning centres are open for the duration of the mourning period, from 08:00 to 19:00 daily, until Madiba’s funeral.
There are national and provincial books of condolences and these are to be archived afterwards.
Each centre has a book in which those paying their respects can write messages.
Mourners can also lay down flowers or mementos.
Those from the province will be transported to Mbombela Stadium where a night vigil will be held the day before Madiba’s state funeral.
Designated centres in the Lowveld are located in each municipality. Official mourning centres in Mbombela are the Nelspruit Civic Centre as well as the KaNyamazane, Matsulu and Manzini halls.
In Thaba Chweu Municipality, mourners can visit the town halls in Lydenburg, Sabie and Graskop as well as the Reroro Community Hall.
In the Bushbuckridge Municipality the Marite Community Hall, Mirriam Mokgakane Hall, Margareth Hall, Mhlanga Hall and Mkhuhlu Community Hall will be available.
In Nkomazi Muncipality, the KaMhlushwa, Schoemansdal, Masibekela and Dludluma halls will be used.
The Umjindi Community Hall, Town Council Hall and Cathyville Hall will also be in official use.
An official book of condolences is available at the offices of the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) at Crossing. Ms Linda Grimbeek of the chamber said it was a huge honour to be entrusted with a book from the provincial government.
The Ehlanzeni District Municipality has been designated as the operation centre for mourning activities in the district. Mr Madala Masuku, MEC for finance, requested on behalf of the provincial government that everyone who wished to conduct large memorials of their own should liaise with the district municipality.
Madiba’s home province of the Eastern Cape is preparing for the large number of people expected to attend the funeral. Members of the public who visit the precinct during the week-long programme will get an opportunity to sign the book of condolences and paint their messages on a special “Wall of Remembrance”.
It is part of an exhibition called “Madiba Speaks” which opened on Monday in the parliamentary precinct.
The exhibition includes video and still photographic imagery depicting Madiba’s speeches and achievements in a transformed and democratic parliament.
Mpumalanga provincial government sends it utmost appreciation to more than 26 000 people of Mpumalanga who attended the memorial service.
“The event was a success and indeed a true reflection of the warm hearted people of the place of the rising sun. Both men and women of all races filled the stadium with jubilation and revolutionary songs in honour of Madiba.
We highly appreciate the fact that people travelled from far to pay tribute and respect to the late Mandela,” said provincial government spokesperson Nonkululeko Mbatha.
