South Africa to Hold Week of Mourning for Nelson Mandela
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WALTER DHLADHLA/AFP/Getty Images(PRETORIA, South Africa) — Beginning Sunday in South Africa, a week will be dedicated to the memory of the country’s former president, Nelson Mandela, who died Thursday at the age of 95 after a long illness.
“We will spend the week mourning his passing. …We will also spend it celebrating a life well lived,” South African President Jacob Zuma announced Friday in an address to the nation.
A national day of prayer and reflection will be held on Dec. 8, followed by an official memorial service on Dec. 10 at FNB Stadium, the Johannesburg soccer stadium that hosted the 2010 World Cup.
From Dec. 11 to Dec. 13, Mandela’s body will lie in state in Pretoria so that South Africans can pay their final respects.
“The remains of our beloved Madiba will lie in state at the seat of government, the union buildings in Pretoria, where he served as the first president,” Zuma said.
Then, on Dec. 15, Mandela will be taken to his ancestral village of Qunu where he’ll be buried alongside three of his children who are deceased.
“We should all wept together to organize the most befitting funeral for this outstanding son of our country and the father of our nation,” Zuma said.
In a statement Friday, White House press secretary Jay Carney announced that the Obamas will be going to South Africa next week “to participate in memorial events.”
“President Obama and the First Lady will go to South Africa next week to pay their respects to the memory of Nelson Mandela and to participate in memorial events. We’ll have further updates on timing and logistics as they become available,” the statement read.
Mandela’s body was moved early Friday morning from Johannesburg to Pretoria’s One Military Hospital. His coffin was draped in South Africa’s flag.
Outside his home in the Johannesburg suburb of Houghton, somber scenes were replaced on Friday with throngs of people singing old songs of struggle from the apartheid era and the country’s national anthem.
“You know, it’s tragic, it’s sad. But at the same time, I think we should celebrate,” Mandela supporter Hamsa Moosa told ABC News. “Celebrate what he has achieved and what he’s given us. I wouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t be free if it wasn’t for him.”
Mandela had been receiving medical care at his home since September, where he had been in “serious but stable condition” because of a chronic lung infection.
Mandela’s oldest grandson, Mandla Mandela (also known by his full name Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela) said he is “deeply saddened,” but is “strengthened by the knowledge that he is now finally resting.”
“All that I can do is thank God that I had a grandfather who loved and guided all of us in the family. The best lesson that he taught all of us was the need for us to be prepared to be of service to our people,” Mandla said in a statement, the first public comment from the anti-apartheid leader’s family since his death.
Mandla said his grandfather “demonstrated his fighting spirit” during his most recent health battles.
“He is an embodiment of strength, struggle and survival, principles that are cherished by humanity. As a grandfather, we have all known him as a kind hearted, generous and wise person who was always prepared to offer us advice on how to be good members of our communities,” Mandla said.
“Celebrating his long life is the best accolade we can give him. Celebrating his contribution to society will make him smile in his resting place. We look forward to continue our interaction with him as one of our beloved ancestor,” the statement concluded.
Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio