WHEN the Daily Dispatch team arrived at former president Nelson Mandela’s Qunu home, Xhosa praise singer and teacher Xolile Madolo was shouting outside the gates, begging villagers to wake up as the “great tree has fallen”.The 42-year-old Madolo, from Bongweni near Mthatha, said he had decided to make the drive to the Mandela home after hearing President Jacob Zuma’s official announcement.
Madolo’s wife, Phumla, knelt down in prayer in front at the gates.
“I’m saddened by the loss of a great stalwart,” Madolo said in his praise singing.
“We are under siege, we are now fighting each other. Most people are still holding on to the ANC out of respect for Mandela who had built an organisation of discipline and respect,” Madolo added.
Madolo called on the villagers to wake up as “a great tree has fallen”. He said he was worried for the future of the ANC.
About 20 national intelligence unit police officers had been deployed outside the house by 2am.
Arrive Alive spokesman Tshepo Machaea said the traffic department had been deployed to monitor traffic.
“The area tends to be very congested. We will try to close some portions of the roads as the traffic picks up. We will leave some bypasses open as well,” he said.
Gates at Mtatha Airport had been closed.
Call for Qunu villagers to wake up as 'great tree' has fallen
The 42-year-old Madolo, from Bongweni near Mthatha, said he had decided to make the drive to the Mandela home after hearing President Jacob Zuma’s official announcement.
Madolo’s wife, Phumla, knelt down in prayer in front at the gates.
“I’m saddened by the loss of a great stalwart,” Madolo said in his praise singing.
“We are under siege, we are now fighting each other. Most people are still holding on to the ANC out of respect for Mandela who had built an organisation of discipline and respect,” Madolo added.
Madolo called on the villagers to wake up as “a great tree has fallen”. He said he was worried for the future of the ANC.
About 20 national intelligence unit police officers had been deployed outside the house by 2am.
Arrive Alive spokesman Tshepo Machaea said the traffic department had been deployed to monitor traffic.
“The area tends to be very congested. We will try to close some portions of the roads as the traffic picks up. We will leave some bypasses open as well,” he said.
Gates at Mtatha Airport had been closed.
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