THOUSANDS of mourners, world leaders and other dignitaries and celebrities gathered at a rain-soaked FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday to honour late president Nelson Mandela at a national memorial service where President Jacob Zuma was repeatedly booed by some in the crowd.
African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa opened the proceedings, which were running about two hours late, welcoming a long list of dignitaries.
Mr Ramaphosa applauded the people of South Africa for the way in which they had honoured “our father” Mandela since his death, and those who had travelled “from all corners of the world” to the service, especially the more than 90 heads of state and other dignitaries, including Mr Mandela’s widow, Graca Machel, and his former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
He said there were more than 100 countries represented at the stadium and called for “a round of South African warm welcome” to Mandela’s friends from around the world.
Mr Ramaphosa said Mandela had “worked to free us all”, and set black and white on a journey of reconciliation towards non-racialism and non-sexism that brought together a nation of diverse cultures so that it became “a nation that finally speaks with one voice”.
He said Mandela taught South Africa that “we are all frail and vulnerable” and that the country’s survival depended on the country’s 50-million citizens reaching out to each other. “We have come to say farewell to this man … His long walk is over, but ours is just beginning.”
Commenting on the pelting rain, he said African tradition had it that rain “welcomes you at the gates of heaven”, adding: “This is how Nelson Mandela would have wanted to be sent off ... these are showers of blessings.”
Mixed welcome for Zuma
When Mr Zuma arrived on the podium he was booed by many in the audience while others gave him a rousing welcome. He has been embroiled in several scandals since before he assumed the presidency, most recently involving the R206m spent on his private estate at Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal.
The embarrassing moment for the country, and particularly the ANC, seemingly prompted Mr Ramaphosa to plead with the crowd for a “dignified and fitting memorial”. The incident also seemed awkward for Mr Zuma, who sat still and watched. He was later to deliver a keynote address.
Mr Ramaphosa later again called for “discipline” after it appeared that parts of the crowd were jeering at Mr Zuma following a roar of applause for US President Barack Obama.
But Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe got a big cheer as he entered the stadium, similar to the greeting he got when he attended the funeral of Mandela’s closest comrade Walter Sisulu in 2003.
A small group of members of former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters was earlier also booed by some in the crowd.
Former president Thabo Mbeki was greeted by wild applause when he was ushered onto the stage, only matched by the applause for Cuban President Raul Castro. Following his release from prison, Mandela famously told those who criticised him for his close friendship with Cuba and Libya to go and “jump into a pool”.
The crowd also roared as Ms Madikizela-Mandela and former president FW de Klerk arrived.
FNB Stadium by midday on Tuesday. Picture: SETUMO STONE
Braving rain and unseasonably cold weather, thousands of ordinary people also entered the 94,000-seat stadium to honour Mandela, who died in Johannesburg on Thursday night at the age of 95. He is to be buried in his Eastern Cape home town, Qunu, on Sunday.
Radio stations and Twitter reported glitches with public transport laid on to ferry mourners to the stadium. Despite this, there was a festive mood at the mass gathering, with the crowds in the stadium and on public transport singing and dancing.
In depth: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 1918- 2013
News and views on the death, and life, of former president Nelson Mandela, with tributes and photographsA life remembered
Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein opened a three-pronged interfaith prayer, appealing to God to remember Mandela “for the good things he has done” and for his generosity of spirit.
He said Mandela’s life reflected that of the biblical Joseph, who was betrayed into slavery by his jealous and spiteful brothers and spent years in jail, yet emerging to become a national leader epitomised by his attitude of forgiveness towards his brothers.
Mandela famously emerged from Pollsmoor Prison on February 11 1990, and, to the surprise of many, forgave his jailers and those who had worked for the apartheid-era government.
“Shelter his soul in the shadow of your wings, strengthen and support his family in their grief, … bless this nation of heroes,” Mr Goldstein said.
Mandela’s fellow Rivonia triallist and Robben Island prison neighbour Andrew Mlangeni described the global icon as “an incomparable source of inspiration” wherever he went.
Mandela worked to overcome oppression and subjugation “not by force, but by understanding and love”, Mr Mlangeni said. Working towards this goal, Mandela and many others sacrificed their health and well-being, he said.
“There is no doubt (Mandela) is smiling as he watches his country unite to celebrate his life and (his) legacy of love and passion,” Mr Mlangeni said.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Mandela was “a hero of our time”, adding that South Africa’s democratic transformation, which Mandela had led, was a victory. He said that despite Mandela’s passing, the struggle for prosperity in South Africa continued.
African Union Commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said Africa was mourning together with the rest of the world.
“At the same time they are a celebrating the life of a gallant fighter, an ANC leader and leader of the South African people,” she said.
Ms Dlamini-Zuma, who served as health minister in democratic South Africa’s first Cabinet under Mandela in 1994, said she had learnt much from working with Mandela. He had understood that South Africa’s struggle was linked to the African continent and the world.
Even in his absence, she said, Mandela would be “watching over us and guiding us”.
Mandela family spokesman Gen Thanduxolo Mandela said the family had “recommitted” to the values and ideas that Mandela stood for. “We hope that you will continue to stand by us,” he said.
Also present at the memorial service were U2 lead singer and activist Bono, South African Hollywood star Charlize Theron, Jay Naidoo, founder leader of the Congress of Trade South African Unions (Cosatu), and suspended Cosatu chief Zwelinzima Vavi.
Former UK leader John Major, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan also arrived at the stadium.
Mr Obama and his wife, Michelle; former US president George W Bush and his wife, Laura; and former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton were attending the service, as were former US presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.
Other stadiums
Meanwhile, at Ellis Park stadium — one of the designated overflow venues for Tuesday’s proceedings, stands were mostly empty by 10am save for a few hundred people.
By 1pm the crowd numbers had not changed and some people had left the stadium. Those who remained were seated together, huddling against the cold and remaining mostly indifferent through the speeches. They clapped when President Robert Mugabe appeared on the big screen.
Sizwe Mbambo, one of the people in the crowd and a professed Economic Freedom Fighters supporter, said he clapped because “I respect what he did there in Zimbabwe”.
In Soweto, Orlando Stadium also opened its gates for mourners but was not yet full by 11.30am. Some Gauteng officials were at the stadium, including community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko.
Mourners, undeterred by the rainy weather, sang struggle song tributes to Mandela. Some were dressed in ANC shirts, blankets and other items.
Elton John, a plumber from Orlando West, said his employer, Sasmere Plumbing, was closed for the day and he chose to come to the stadium close to his home to remember Mandela.
“There really is not much to say. Bab’ Mandela was the kind of person that lived to help everyone. It was only right to come here and honour him the best way I can,” Mr John said.
City of Johannesburg spokesman Nthatisi Modingoane said organisers would fill spaces at the FNB Stadium before looking to other venues where the memorial was being screened.
“We have redirected all buses to FNB (Stadium). Only when the FNB (Stadium) is full, will we direct buses to other sites, including Orlando Stadium,” he said.
Franny Rabkin, Sue Blaine, Natasha Marrian, Setumo Stone, Khulekani Magubane and Colleen Goko
