MANAGING the protocols and the logistics of Nelson Mandela’s memorial service seems to be the most complex and sensitive part of the funeral.
Except for the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Mandela’s funeral could easily see the largest concentration of heads of state in one venue since the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
Apart from the elaborate security arrangements involving a multitude of security agencies guarding each head of state, there are also sensitive political relationships to be managed in order not to put those involved in an awkward position in the glare of television cameras.
There is a great likelihood that global tensions playing out elsewhere could also affect the way the memorial service is organised.
It goes without saying that under no circumstances is UK Prime Minister David Cameron to find himself sitting next to President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. Nor should the Israeli representative sit next to their Iranian or Palestinian counterparts, if they are attending.
More than 100 heads of state and governments, government representatives and royalty on Monday confirmed they would attend today’s memorial service. These include, among others, US President Barack Obama as well former presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.
Mr Obama left the US for South Africa with his wife Michelle on Monday afternoon. He was accompanied by Mr Bush and his wife, Laura.
Mr Clinton and Mr Carter were travelling separately.
Mr Cameron and his three surviving predecessors — Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major — will also be in attendance along with Prince Charles, who is expected to stay on to attend the burial service in Qunu, the Eastern Cape. China is sending its vice-president Li Yuanchao.
Australia’s and New Zealand’s prime ministers, Tony Abbott and John Key respectively, will represent their countries. Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff as well as four prior heads of state are also confirmed.
A delegation from The Elders, of which Mr Mandela was a founder, will also attend. These will include former UN secretary-general and chairman of The Elders Kofi Annan, former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari, UN diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi and former Irish president Mary Robinson. UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon will also be at the service.
"The world literally is coming to South Africa, " Department of International Relations and Co-operation spokesman Clayson Monyela told Johannesburg’s 702 Talk Radio on Monday.
But there will be some notable absentees too.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who on Friday referred to Mr Mandela as "an outstanding political figure of modern times", will not make it.
A repeat of his tense and uncomfortable encounter with Mr Obama will therefore not happen. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir will also not attend. He is wanted in The Hague for suspected war crimes, and South Africa is obliged to arrest him if he comes.
North Korean President Kim Jong Un will not be attending, while self-installed leader in the Central African Republic, Michel Djotodia, is concerned with dealing with rebel fighters in the capital, Bangui and violence in the country.
Mr Djotodia is unlikely to have been welcomed anyway as the African Union does not recognise leaders installed through violent takeovers.
The protocol department will be working through the night to finalise sitting arrangements at FNB Stadium today.
University of Pretoria politics and international relations academic Mzukisi Qobo said the sitting arrangements would reflect the importance of the countries represented. "Out of politeness, state protocol officials might not say so but heads of state and government will be seated by order of importance, globally and to South Africa’s interests.
"Prime spots will be reserved for the likes of the US President Barack Obama, the Chinese vice-president and Prince Charles of Great Britain, for example ."
Most dignitaries arrived throughout the day yesterday with more expected last night.
According to the government more than 1,500 journalists have been accredited for the event.
South African Police Service spokesman Solomon Makgale said a large contingent of officers would be deployed to today’s events in order to maintain public order and help the bodyguards of visiting dignitaries.
The majority of the nearly 100 dignitaries entered SA over the past couple of days via Waterkloof Airforce Base. Those using commercial flights landed at OR Tambo International Airport or Lanseria, according to Mr Monyela.
He said the majority of dignitaries would remain in South Africa until Wednesday and would attend the lie-in-state ceremony of Mandela at the Union Buildings before it is opened to the public later in the day. President Jacob Zuma would host them for a "washing of the hands" ceremony, a ritual marking the traditional washing of hands after a burial before heading home.
"A few will remain on for the funeral in Qunu but we want to keep the funeral service more intimate," he said.
Mr Monyela would not disclose further details about the planned activities, citing security concerns.
An image of Nelson Mandela is displayed on a digital screen as workers on scaffolding construct a stage ahead of Mandela's national memorial service at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday. Picture: REUTERS
MANAGING the protocols and the logistics of Nelson Mandela’s memorial service seems to be the most complex and sensitive part of the funeral.
Except for the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Mandela’s funeral could easily see the largest concentration of heads of state in one venue since the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
Apart from the elaborate security arrangements involving a multitude of security agencies guarding each head of state, there are also sensitive political relationships to be managed in order not to put those involved in an awkward position in the glare of television cameras.
There is a great likelihood that global tensions playing out elsewhere could also affect the way the memorial service is organised.
It goes without saying that under no circumstances is UK Prime Minister David Cameron to find himself sitting next to President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. Nor should the Israeli representative sit next to their Iranian or Palestinian counterparts, if they are attending.
More than 100 heads of state and governments, government representatives and royalty on Monday confirmed they would attend today’s memorial service. These include, among others, US President Barack Obama as well former presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.
Mr Obama left the US for South Africa with his wife Michelle on Monday afternoon. He was accompanied by Mr Bush and his wife, Laura.
Mr Clinton and Mr Carter were travelling separately.
Mr Cameron and his three surviving predecessors — Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major — will also be in attendance along with Prince Charles, who is expected to stay on to attend the burial service in Qunu, the Eastern Cape. China is sending its vice-president Li Yuanchao.
Australia’s and New Zealand’s prime ministers, Tony Abbott and John Key respectively, will represent their countries. Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff as well as four prior heads of state are also confirmed.
A delegation from The Elders, of which Mr Mandela was a founder, will also attend. These will include former UN secretary-general and chairman of The Elders Kofi Annan, former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari, UN diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi and former Irish president Mary Robinson. UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon will also be at the service.
"The world literally is coming to South Africa, " Department of International Relations and Co-operation spokesman Clayson Monyela told Johannesburg’s 702 Talk Radio on Monday.
But there will be some notable absentees too.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who on Friday referred to Mr Mandela as "an outstanding political figure of modern times", will not make it.
A repeat of his tense and uncomfortable encounter with Mr Obama will therefore not happen. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir will also not attend. He is wanted in The Hague for suspected war crimes, and South Africa is obliged to arrest him if he comes.
North Korean President Kim Jong Un will not be attending, while self-installed leader in the Central African Republic, Michel Djotodia, is concerned with dealing with rebel fighters in the capital, Bangui and violence in the country.
Mr Djotodia is unlikely to have been welcomed anyway as the African Union does not recognise leaders installed through violent takeovers.
The protocol department will be working through the night to finalise sitting arrangements at FNB Stadium today.
University of Pretoria politics and international relations academic Mzukisi Qobo said the sitting arrangements would reflect the importance of the countries represented. "Out of politeness, state protocol officials might not say so but heads of state and government will be seated by order of importance, globally and to South Africa’s interests.
"Prime spots will be reserved for the likes of the US President Barack Obama, the Chinese vice-president and Prince Charles of Great Britain, for example ."
Most dignitaries arrived throughout the day yesterday with more expected last night.
According to the government more than 1,500 journalists have been accredited for the event.
South African Police Service spokesman Solomon Makgale said a large contingent of officers would be deployed to today’s events in order to maintain public order and help the bodyguards of visiting dignitaries.
The majority of the nearly 100 dignitaries entered SA over the past couple of days via Waterkloof Airforce Base. Those using commercial flights landed at OR Tambo International Airport or Lanseria, according to Mr Monyela.
He said the majority of dignitaries would remain in South Africa until Wednesday and would attend the lie-in-state ceremony of Mandela at the Union Buildings before it is opened to the public later in the day. President Jacob Zuma would host them for a "washing of the hands" ceremony, a ritual marking the traditional washing of hands after a burial before heading home.
"A few will remain on for the funeral in Qunu but we want to keep the funeral service more intimate," he said.
Mr Monyela would not disclose further details about the planned activities, citing security concerns.
