AN UNPRECEDENTED number of mourners are expected to line the N2 and roads in Mthatha, forming a “human chain” to receive the body of Nelson Mandela.
Residents living between Mthatha Airport and Qunu said they would salute and pledge to honour Madiba’s legacy. They were happy he would be laid to rest next to his ancestors.
Mthetho Futshane, who lives on the doorstep of the N2 in Upper Qunu, urged people to join the human chain and avoid causing a stampede at the funeral.
In Xhugxwala Village, 15km outside Qunu, elderly men and women gathered for an initiate’s homecoming ceremony.
Pumelele Madyibi, 52, said: “It is a fact that Madiba was a different person. We will go out there to say, the way he has paved for us, we will follow.”
About 25km outside Qunu, Reverend Vusumzi Matshanda of the African Nazareth Church (ANC) in Zion in Old Payne Village outside Mthatha said at least 3000 members of his church would participate in the event.
The church had been “deeply touched” by Madiba’s stance on reconciliation, he said.
“I was preaching and I said if Madiba’s soul could not enter heaven then let’s all forget we ever will.”
Daphne Marais from Old Payne Farm, said the whole village would come out for the parade.
“Ons moet kom sing vir onse vader (we must come sing for our father),” she said
ANC Eastern Cape national executive committee convener Zizi Kodwa, said Mandela’s body would arrive at Mthatha Airport today after being flown from Waterkloof Air Base in Pretoria. Mandela’s body has been lying in state there at the Union Buildings.
The state will receive the casket when it arrives and, following a 20 minute official ceremony, a convoy of security forces will transport it to Qunu along the N2. The
ANC will receive the body when it arrives in Qunu and hand it over to the family.
Yesterday, up to 30 ANC NEC members and volunteers led by secretary-general Gwede Mantashe were going door to door to encourage people to come out in their numbers to “close a chapter” in the history of the country’s revolution.
Kodwa said it was an historical moment. “Madiba was a leader not a ruler. He is the embodiment of the revolution.
“The majority of people the world over have a strong affinity with Mandela,” said Kodwa. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
‘Human chain’ for Madiba
Residents living between Mthatha Airport and Qunu said they would salute and pledge to honour Madiba’s legacy. They were happy he would be laid to rest next to his ancestors.
Mthetho Futshane, who lives on the doorstep of the N2 in Upper Qunu, urged people to join the human chain and avoid causing a stampede at the funeral.
In Xhugxwala Village, 15km outside Qunu, elderly men and women gathered for an initiate’s homecoming ceremony.
Pumelele Madyibi, 52, said: “It is a fact that Madiba was a different person. We will go out there to say, the way he has paved for us, we will follow.”
About 25km outside Qunu, Reverend Vusumzi Matshanda of the African Nazareth Church (ANC) in Zion in Old Payne Village outside Mthatha said at least 3000 members of his church would participate in the event.
The church had been “deeply touched” by Madiba’s stance on reconciliation, he said.
“I was preaching and I said if Madiba’s soul could not enter heaven then let’s all forget we ever will.”
Daphne Marais from Old Payne Farm, said the whole village would come out for the parade.
“Ons moet kom sing vir onse vader (we must come sing for our father),” she said
ANC Eastern Cape national executive committee convener Zizi Kodwa, said Mandela’s body would arrive at Mthatha Airport today after being flown from Waterkloof Air Base in Pretoria. Mandela’s body has been lying in state there at the Union Buildings.
The state will receive the casket when it arrives and, following a 20 minute official ceremony, a convoy of security forces will transport it to Qunu along the N2. The
ANC will receive the body when it arrives in Qunu and hand it over to the family.
Yesterday, up to 30 ANC NEC members and volunteers led by secretary-general Gwede Mantashe were going door to door to encourage people to come out in their numbers to “close a chapter” in the history of the country’s revolution.
Kodwa said it was an historical moment. “Madiba was a leader not a ruler. He is the embodiment of the revolution.
“The majority of people the world over have a strong affinity with Mandela,” said Kodwa. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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