AS WAS widely expected, a number of heads of state, former heads of state and other dignitaries will attend the state funeral of former president Nelson Mandela on Sunday, December 15.
The Department of International Relations and Co-operation on Friday released a list of the dignitaries who have indicated that they would be attending the funeral service at his ancestral home in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape.
US President Barack Obama, who was at Mandela’s official memorial at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday, will not be in attendance. Instead, the prominent Reverend Jessie Jackson will represent the US.
The Rev Jackson — a long-time human rights and anti-apartheid activist — is considered by many in the US as an important link between Mandela and US activist Martin Luther King.
The United Kingdom will be represented by Charles, Prince of Wales.
Other notable people on the list include head of the European Union in South Africa Roeland van der Geer and African Union Commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Among African leaders who are expected to attend are Malawian President Joyce Banda, Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn and Lesotho’s King Letsie III.
Former heads of state include Jens Stoltenberg, former prime minister of Norway, former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda and former French prime minister Alain Juppe.
International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said the government appreciated the continued support shown by the international community since Mandela’s death on Thursday last week.
"It is comforting to have amongst us leaders and other dignitaries representing the international community during this time of bidding our final farewells to Madiba," she said.
Qunu, in the Eastern Cape. Picture: THE TIMES
AS WAS widely expected, a number of heads of state, former heads of state and other dignitaries will attend the state funeral of former president Nelson Mandela on Sunday, December 15.
The Department of International Relations and Co-operation on Friday released a list of the dignitaries who have indicated that they would be attending the funeral service at his ancestral home in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape.
US President Barack Obama, who was at Mandela’s official memorial at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday, will not be in attendance. Instead, the prominent Reverend Jessie Jackson will represent the US.
The Rev Jackson — a long-time human rights and anti-apartheid activist — is considered by many in the US as an important link between Mandela and US activist Martin Luther King.
The United Kingdom will be represented by Charles, Prince of Wales.
Other notable people on the list include head of the European Union in South Africa Roeland van der Geer and African Union Commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Among African leaders who are expected to attend are Malawian President Joyce Banda, Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn and Lesotho’s King Letsie III.
Former heads of state include Jens Stoltenberg, former prime minister of Norway, former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda and former French prime minister Alain Juppe.
International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said the government appreciated the continued support shown by the international community since Mandela’s death on Thursday last week.
"It is comforting to have amongst us leaders and other dignitaries representing the international community during this time of bidding our final farewells to Madiba," she said.
