AN ENGLISH billionaire, two renowned actors, a media mogul and a British royal were among the thousands who paid their last respects to Nelson Mandela.
The world’s eyes were fixed on the small Eastern Cape village of Qunu yesterday as Madiba was laid to rest.
British actor Idris Elba, who plays Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, was at the funeral.
Also acknowledged by funeral programme director ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa were Prince Charles, mogul Oprah Winfrey, billionaire Sir Richard Branson and Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker.
Prince Charles left from Qunu yesterday afternoon.
Branson, famous for the Virgin empire, was among dozens of businesspeople and high-profile politicians who came through East London Airport on Saturday evening.
The airport bustled in the late afternoon when about a dozen police officers lined up in a guard of honour for almost an hour on either side of the arrivals gate, attracting curiosity from the public before the large contingent arrived.
Three military helicopters were seen landing, but it was not clear who came off them.
In a rare occurrence, Branson arrived on a South African Airways flight.
Funeral guests boarded buses and vehicles to Qunu.
Branson’s arrival in East London inspired awe from bystanders, with public protector Thuli Madonsela and businesswoman turned politician Mamphela Ramphele also eliciting approving applause.
Branson remarked that he drew positive lessons from Mandela’s leadership.
“Nelson Mandela’s legacy means a lot to the whole world. He touched everybody, he taught all of us to make a difference and to be forgiving.
“He did it all while smiling and dancing,” said Branson.
Speaking to Daily Dispatch, guests attending the funeral credited Mandela as a modern epitome of human courage and tactical skill.
Among those seen at East London Airport were Tokyo Sexwale, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, South African Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus, Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor and former arts and culture minister Pallo Jordan.
Jordan praised Mandela for his tactical acumen.
“No other African has been honoured with US flags being flown at half mast, a special sitting of the House of Lords and 92 heads of state attending his memorial.”
DA leader Helen Zille and the party’s parliamentary leader, Lindiwe Mazibuko, were also spotted arriving together.
Attorney Wesley Hayes, who had been waiting for his client, Tando Mabunu-Mandela, said: “It was great to see Madonsela and Ramphele. Seeing Richard Branson was awesome.” — siyam@dispatch.co.za