AT LEAST 53 heads of state, including US President Barack Obama, as well as numerous representatives of international and multilateral organisations, will attend this week’s national memorial service for former president Nelson Mandela, International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said on Sunday.
The service at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday is expected to be among the largest gatherings of world leaders in history. It will be followed by a state funeral in Qunu in the Eastern Cape on Sunday.
Briefing journalists on arrangements on Sunday, Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said Mr Obama would be accompanied by three former US presidents — Jimmy Carter, George W Bush and Bill Clinton — and their spouses, as well as 26 congressmen and -women. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff will also be accompanied by several former heads of state, among them former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Thirteen African heads of state have so far confirmed their attendance, he said.
In depth: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 1918- 2013
News and views on the death, and life, of former president Nelson Mandela, with tributes and photographs"We expect more confirmations and we wish to reiterate that our international guests are most welcome to join us at this difficult time," said Mr Chabane.
"The fact that international leaders are making their way to South Africa at such short notice reflects the special place president Mandela holds in the hearts of people around the globe. We are touched that many countries have declared periods of mourning, ordered that flags be flown at half-mast and draped or lit landmarks in the colours of the South African flag. We truly appreciate these gestures," he said.
News agency AFP reported on Sunday that the Dalai Lama, who has twice since 2009 been denied a visa for South Africa, was not planning to attend his fellow Nobel laureate’s funeral, according to his spokesman.
The Guardian newspaper reported that Prince Charles would represent the Queen at the funeral in Qunu, while British Prime Minister David Cameron would attend the memorial service.
The memorial service will be addressed by President Jacob Zuma and the programme will include tributes by heads of state. The event will begin at 11am and gates will open at 6am. People are advised to use public transport and arrive early as no cars will be allowed into the vicinity of the stadium.
Mr Chabane said provincial and municipal governments had been asked to arrange transport for mourners from various parts of the country. However, he said, "our advice is that people outside of Gauteng come together in their own provinces" and take advantage of the fact that all events will be screened live. He appealed to members of the public to co-operate should they be turned away when the venue reached capacity.
In addition to the FNB Stadium, overflow venues with large television screens will be Ellis Park, Orlando and Dobsonville stadiums. Public viewing areas will also be set up in other provinces, similar to the "fan parks" created for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
From Wednesday to Friday, Mandela’s remains will lie in state at the Union Buildings. Members of the public wishing to view the body will be shuttled from two venues in Pretoria and will not be allowed to switch on their cellphones or have them in sight as they file past the body.
The public have also been asked to line the memorial route from 1 Military Hospital to the Union Buildings every morning to form a guard of honour.
The Mandela family and VIPs will view the body from 10am on Wednesday, after which the public will be able to do so.
Mr Chabane said further information would be released in the next few days, providing details of the state funeral at Qunu. South African Airways will provide a return air service to ferry mourners wishing to attend the service, for which people will pay.
In a statement of thanks to South Africa and the world, Mandela family spokesman Gen TT Matanzima on Sunday said the family pledged to keep the dream of Nelson Mandela alive and appealed to all South Africans to do the same.
"Though he answered to the name father, husband, granddad, son and statesman, we all understood ultimately that Tata remains an inspiration not only to us but to the nation," Gen Matanzima told reporters in Johannesburg.
"We know and know too well that you the people of the world will not fail Mandela … We hope you will join us with all the passion, fever, prayer and support ... (to) keep his dream alive."
With Sapa
