Africa lost one of her greatest leaders Dr Nelson Mandela exactly one year yesterday and in Pretoria – South Africans prayed, sang and fell silent on Friday to mark the first anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death, honouring the Nobel Laureate’s role in vanquishing racist white rule.
A dawn interfaith service kicked off a sombre day of remembrance, with the country’s living liberation heroes gathering at the Freedom Park amphitheater in Pretoria.
“Twenty years of democracy has been possible because of Mandela,” tribal chief Ron Martin said as the sun edged over Pretoria’s hills and the smell of herbs burning inWreaths were laid at the base of a five-metre statue of a smiling Madiba, the clan name by which South Africans affectionately call a man who is both father of the nation and their favourite son.
spiralled antelope horns wafted over the ceremony.
Any sense of pride was frowned upon by apartheid,” he said, “but we are reclaiming that today.”
“The body gave in but Madiba’s spirit never, never changed, it was always the same until the end,” Mandela’s widow Graca Machel said before laying a huge ring of white flowers and pale pink roses at the base of the statue.She said she was “numb” when her husband died, but said she now remembers him as “tall and proud.”
She then joined hands with members of Mandela’s family in prayer.
“Madiba is, in spirit, the same even today,” said Machel. “I know Madiba is smiling, Madiba is happy because he is amongst the family he chose to build.”
Read more about the ceremony HERE
From here, HolyGist Blog as mark the anniversary of the departure of our hero and icon. We will not forget your good works sir. your struggles for the liberation of Africa would not be in vain. You will be greatly missed but we will carry on your legacy. Rest in the bosom of the Lord Papa Mandela.
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