A giant arena is being built in view of Nelson Mandela's home to stage the biggest funeral in South Africa's history for him.
Final preparations are being made before more than 70 world leaders fly in this week to attend a series of events to mark the extraordinary life of one of humanity's great peacemakers.
They include Cuban leader Raul Castro and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe who could rub shoulders with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Charles in an unprecedented gathering.
Iran's Hassan Rouhani will also be among the heads of state flying in to commemorate Mr Mandela, as will U.S. President Barack Obama and former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.
Scroll down for video
Preparations: Work continues on a massive arena on the property of former South African President Nelson Mandela ahead of his state burial service on Sunday, in Qunu
Ministers have had to play down fears that events to mark Mr Mandela¿s death could descend into chaos, as it was revealed some key details have yet to be arranged
It is not yet clear who will attend the private funeral. It is understood that world leaders, particularly those with large entourages and special security needs, have been encouraged to attend the memorial in Johannesburg instead
However, the Dalai Lama will not attend memorial services for his fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate in South Africa, where he has twice been unable to obtain a visa.
A spokesman did not say why the Buddhist spiritual leader is missing the memorial service in Johannesburg and funeral in Mandela's hometown.
He said only that 'logistically it's impossible at this time.'
South Africa blocked the Dalai Lama from attending a Nobel laureates' peace conference in 2009, and stalled on a 2011 visa until the Tibetan leader withdrew the
Today, South Africa's parliament begun a special session honouring the nation's former leader.
The session began in Cape Town, with an announcement that members of Mandela's family were sitting in the gallery.
Kgalema Motlanthe, South Africa's deputy president, began the proceedings with a speech. He described how Mandela's influence in South Africa and around the globe caused a 'sweeping feeling of sorrow' worldwide followinMotlanthe said: 'He belongs to all humanity. ... Mandela's ideals saturate the face of the Earth.'
gTomorrow's event is set to be one of the biggest meetings of global dignitaries in recent history at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium, South Africa's foreign ministry said today.
The 95,000-seat stadium in Soweto, the township that was at the heart of the anti-apartheid struggle, will host the main memorial ceremony for Mandela, who died on Thursday aged 95.
It was the site of Mandela's last public appearance, when he waved to fans from the back of a golf cart at the final of the 2010 soccer World Cup.
Final farewell: Former South African President Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel wave to the crowd at Soccer City stadium during the closing ceremony for the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg in 2010
Former South African President Nelson Mandela with Prince Charles in 2002. The Prince will attend the funeral on Sunday in Qunu, Mandela's home village
Cuban leader Raul Castro (left), the brother of Fidel Castro, and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe are flying in to South Africa to attend a memorial event for Nelson Mandela
'The whole world is coming to South Africa,' foreign ministry spokesman Clayson Monyela.
However, ministers have had to play down fears that events to mark Mr Mandela’s death could descend into chaos, as it was revealed some key details have yet to be arranged.
A police spokesman in South Africa said today that 'thousands' of officers will be on hand to keep order.
Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale said police would 'make sure people are able to grieve in a safe environment.'
Members of the Kaiser Chiefs football club arrive at the home of former South African President Nelson Mandela to pay their respects
A child waves as he passes a mural depicting the late Nelson Mandela, in Soweto, near Johannesburg
Final preparations are being made ahead of a week-long memorial service and funeral for Nelson Mandela
Vendors set out their wares as thousands of people continue to visit the home former South African President Nelson Mandela to pay their respects to Mandela's family
WORLD LEADERS, MODELS, TYCOONS AND SINGERS TO PAY RESPECTS
Among the mourners heading to South Africa this week will be figures from the worlds of music, business and fashion.
Tycoon Sir Richard Branson, supermodel Naomi Campbell and musicians Bono, Annie Lennox and Peter Gabriel are expected at the memorial service on Tuesday.
Sir Richard and singer Peter Gabriel devised 'The Elders' forum of statesmen and activists set up by Mr Mandela.
U2 singer and activist Bono, 53, said the anti-apartheid icon had inspired him to campaign against Aids and world poverty.
Miss Campbell, 43, who Mr Mandela described as his 'honorary granddaughter', has helped raise money for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and his former political party the African National Congress.
Grammy-award winning artist Annie Lennox, 58, has a long association with Mr Mandela after performing at his 70th birthday concert in 1988.
Three previous prime ministers - Sir John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown - are to join current PM David Cameron at the official memorial ceremony.
Also attending the national memorial service in Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium will be Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband, said Downing Street.
It is thought to be the first time for many years that all of the UK’s surviving prime ministers have travelled to an event abroad, and reflects the deep respect in wh
At the funeral, political guests will include Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout – who is representing his country in place of its prime minister Jiri Rusnok.
Mr Rusnok was forced to apologise after he was recorded saying: ‘The idea of going gives me the shivers.’
A visitor places a card on a memorial of flowers and cards for Nelson Mandela in front of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa
A man looks at a new mural near the former house of late South African president Nelson Mandela
South Africans move along a road through Qunu near the home of the late South African president Nelson Mandela
People dance and sing in celebration of late South African president Nelson Mandela as hundreds gather in front of his house in Johannesburg
A visitor takes a photograph of a memorial of flowers and cards for Nelson Mandela in front of the Union Buildings
Commemoration: Soccer City, also known as the FNB Stadium, with the city of Johannesburg in the background
Makgale said South African police, diplomats and intelligence services had been in touch with foreign delegations to protect visiting heads of state, including Mr Obama.
Millions of mourners are expected to attend the ten-day programme of memorial services announced by the South African government.
They will culminate in Mr Mandela’s funeral, which will be held in his home village of Qunu on Sunday. Prince Charles will attend, to represent the Queen.
Yesterday officials hastily announced three 'overflow' stadia would also be used, amid fears the Soweto stadium would not be able to cope with the number of mourners expected to pay their respects.
The former wife of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela Madikizela, arrives for a mass in memory of late South African President's Nelson Mandela yesterday
They also warned that security would be tight, telling people from outside the city area not to travel in. They said: 'Our advice is that people outside Gauteng come together in their own provinces.’
Although officials have declared that all roads around the stadium will be closed to traffic, they have not explained how mourners will be able to get there.
Similarly, a government minister, Collins Chabane, struggled to explain how he would manage the crowds expected to view Mr Mandela’s body.
He admitted he had no idea how many people would come, saying only: ‘We expect as many people as possible.’
Mr Mandela’s body will lie in state for three days at Pretoria’s government buildings from Wednesday.
The first day will be set aside for ‘VVIP’ visitors. From Thursday, members of the public will be able to file past the body, but will be banned from taking photographs.
However the most serious concerns relate to the funeral itself, which will be held in Qunu, the remote village where Mr Mandela lived as a child.
It is accessible by only one minor road and the nearest airport, 20 miles away, is unable to accommodate more than a few aircraft at a time. Locals expect the entire area to be gridlocked as dignitaries, ordinary mourners and film crews descend for the funeral.
A senior South African diplomat said: ‘He is the hero of the planet. It’s going to be the biggest state funeral since Winston Churchill. I think any country would struggle to organise that.’
U.S. President Barack Obama is likely to address the four-hour service
Former South African President Nelson Mandela lifts the World Cup trophy
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, ex-wife of former South Africa President Nelson Mandela, President Jacob Zuma and Mandla Mandela (right) the grandson of Nelson Mandela, laugh as President Zuma holds a child (name unknown) who has just been baptised after prayers were made yesterday for the late peace activist
It is not yet clear who will attend the private funeral. It is understood that world leaders, particularly those with large entourages and special security needs, have been encouraged to attend the memorial in Johannesburg instead.
The service is expected to last for four hours, and President Obama is likely to deliver an address.
There was already controversy yesterday as Mr Mandela’s ex-wife, Winnie, stole the limelight at a church service held for Mr Mandela in Johannesburg.
The 77-year-old attended the service instead of Mr Mandela's third wife, Graca Machel, and sat in prime position next to president Jacob Zuma. She expressed little emotion during the service, but showed a flash of anger when the pastor mistakenly called her Graca.
Mrs Mandela was mourning her husband’s death in private at the nearby family home.
* Tonight’s episode of EastEnders will include a scene filmed to mark Mr Mandela’s death.
It will involve Carol Jackson, played by Lindsey Coulson, and Denise Fox, played by Diane Parish, discussing Mr Mandela and their memories of his release from prison in 1990.
A spokesman said: ‘EastEnders always aims to reflect big news stories and events that strike a chord with our audience
No comments:
Post a Comment