UPDATE: World stops to say goodbye to Mandela

UPDATE: 6 December, 12.15pm

Upon his arrival, the journalist was overwhelmed by the huge crowds of people who appeared to have arrived in the early hours of the morning to pay tribute to the anti-apartheid icon.

“Revolutionary and memorial songs filled the lungs of mourners as people danced and laid flowers in memory of Mandela,” said Afrika.

At 7.30am he tweeted: “… People singing songs, others selling coffee.”

He said ANC members were posted outside singing, “Mandela siyabonga, my president, hamba kahle” – meaning ‘Mandela, we thank you, my president, go well’.
Mdolomba noted the heavy police presence, ANC supporters and community members outside the house.

“Some people, including many journalists, had gathered outside the house since last night. Some were crying, some singing, some were just staring into thin air [space] outside,” he said.

With all the media trying to find a new angle on the biggest global story, Mdolomba decided that no story could beat the condolence messages coming from the people who had arrived to pay their respect that morning.

Alfred Khewu, an Alexandra resident who rode his bicycle all the way from Alexandra township to pay his respects in Houghton, said, “We must celebrate his life and the democracy he brought to our people.”

Another visitor, Trevor Kemp said, “Nelson Mandela is a true icon and we are here to celebrate his life, the world is still shocked at the news. All we can do is celebrate and continue with his legacy. The father has fallen, now the children of the nation must uphold his dream of a democratic society.”

Bystander Maletsi Mokoena said, “It is such a sad occasion, I came to pay my last respects here at his home. I’m so proud to have lived during his era.”

Tshepo Nkoebe said, “To me Mandela was a father, a man who stood for peace even after he was forced into undesirable situations, he was still humble and wanted a peaceful South Africa. Thanks to that black people are allowed to come to places like Houghton.”

At 8am, Mdolomba tweeted, “Scene remains unchanged, people still singing, two guys still selling coffee and journalists capturing the moment. #Mandela.”
At 9.30am, Mdolomba interviewed a woman who he said was “soaked in tears, still wearing her gown”.

“I came as soon as I heard,” she told him.

Interviewing a few more people standing outside, Mdolomba spoke to Kim Samuels who said, “I just hope the current leadership would stop looting state resources and follow in the footsteps of Rolihlahla. Today is indeed a sad day.”

The mood still sombre, Mdolomba saw a man who partly lightened up the mood by addressing the crowd.

Mdolomba tweeted, “Earlier, a white man amused the crowd when he addressed them in Zulu, ‘Utata ushonile, uye endaweni engcono (Tata has passed but he has gone to a better place).’

Children made their presence felt as journalists started interviewing them as they arrived to leave their letters to Nelson Mandela, “their hero”.

Mdolomba tweeted, “Some are leaving, many more are still pouring in outside #Mandela’s home in Houghton. Revolutionary songs have filled the air.”

Realising that the news extends well beyond the Houghton home, at 10am Mdolomba tweeted, “My editor just indicated that I might be camping outside #Mandela’s home for the next few days.”

UPDATE: December 6, 11am:

Tributes have poured in for Nelson Mandela following his death last night.

A moment’s silence was held at the start of play on day two of the second test between Australia and England. It was also reported that the Australian team would be wearing black armbands out of respect for the late Madiba.

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has joined millions of people in South Africa and around the world who feel a profound sense of loss at the passing of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

“We are immensely proud that one of our own is loved and revered on every corner of the globe and stands tall amongst the greatest leaders of the 20th century. We wish to convey our sincere condolences to Tata Madiba’s family, from whom he had been separated for almost three decades. These are extremely difficult times for the Mandela family, but we are sure that they will see it through with courage, grace and dignity,” read a statement from the foundation.

Fifa president Joseph S Blatter said, “It is in deep mourning that I pay my respects to an extraordinary person, probably one of the greatest humanists of our time and a dear friend of mine, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

“Nelson Mandela will stay in our hearts forever. The memories of his remarkable fight against oppression, his incredible charisma and his positive values will live on in us and with us,” said Blatter.

As a mark of respect and mourning, the flags of the 209 member associations at the Home of Fifa will be flown at half-mast and there will be a minute of silence before the next round of international matches.

A condolence book has been set up at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where the flags are flying at half mast in Mandela’s honour.

Primedia have decided to not show the Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom movie for 24 hours, stating that it was not fair to make money off of such a tragic event.

UPDATE: December 6, 10.30am:

The former statesman’s body was transported to Milatary 1 Hospital in Pretoria in the early hours of this morning and the entrance of the hospital has since been barricaded by police.

For the period of mourning, until 13 December, Mandela’s body is expected to lie in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, guarded by South African National Defence Force personnel.
Madiba’s casket will be placed under a dome close to the Union Buildings on 10 December for three days, the very same place where he took the Oath of Office when he became South Africa’s first democratically elected President in 1994.

Next week, either on Friday or Saturday, Mandela’s body is expected to be taken by military aircraft to his ancestral hometown of Qunu, which he had asked to be his final resting place.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has confirmed he will attend Nelson Mandela’s funeral while White House officials have already privately indicated that Obama will be travelling to South Africa at some time during elaborate funeral ceremonies.

According to reports Obama will likely be joined on Air Force One by other key political leaders from the United States, including some of the living former Presidents, who were quick to react to Mandela’s death with their own statements.

Heads of state and royalty from around the world are expected to make the journey to the rural homestead, where a state funeral will be held and Mandela will be laid to rest.

A memorial service will be held at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. As soon as we have confirmed the details we will give an update.

UPDATE: December 6, 10.17:

The crowd of people outside Madiba’s house is slowly swelling as more arrive to pay their respects. Some are singing, some are praying, while some are quietly leaving flowers and cards before moving off.

South Africans and foreigners of all shapes and sizes, a heavy media presence, as well as a major police contingent can be seen.
Apart from the singing the crowd is quite sombre.

To see photos of the many tributes to Nelson Mandela, click here.

To see photos of Madiba’s Houghton home click here.

UPDATE: December, 6, 9.59am

The South African Institute of Race Relations said in a statement that Mandela’s death will not destabilise race relations in the country, contrary to fears sometimes expressed.

“For many years now, South Africans have got along with one another largely peacefully without Mr Mandela having been active in the political sphere,’ said Lerato Moloi, head of research at the institute.

“In fact, Mandela’s passing may be cause for many to reflect on the remarkably peaceful and swift racial integration of many parts of society, including schools, suburbs, universities, and workplaces.

Although some of this had started to occur before 1994, as a symbol of racial reconciliation and forgiveness Mr Mandela will be viewed by many as having played a pivotal role in creating such a society.”
T

he 2013 edition of the flagship publication released by the institute, The South Africa Survey, has been named the Mandela Commemorative Edition in honour of Nelson Mandela who, in his celebrated ‘I am prepared to die speech’, is quoted from the 1963 edition of the survey.

UPDATE: December 6, 7.30am:

The Nelson Mandela Foundation has expressed their deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences after the news of Mandela’s passing on 5 December.

Daniella Melville, spokesperson for the Nelson Mandela Foundation said, “We know all South Africans, and indeed the world, join us in this profound sense of loss and sadness on the death of our beloved founder, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.”

She said Mandela’s living legacy is what has kept the foundation going.

“His legacy lives on in all of us – it is in our hands now,” she added. Donations to the foundation can be made via the website or the Facebook page: Nelson Mandela and the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory.

Details: www.nelsonmandela.org

UPDATE: December 6, 7.30am:

We have received reports that the roads surrounded Nelson Mandela’s Houghton home have been closed. According to our journalist on the ground police blockades are blocking the roads giving access to Tata Madiba’s home in Houghton.

This comes after hundreds of mourners have flooded the streets in the suburb to hold vigil and pay their respect to the Statesman.

We will update you as soon as we have more information.

UPDATE: December 6, 7am:

Former President Nelson Mandela’s body has been taken to Military 1 Hospital in Pretoria.

According to reports the N1 was flooded by blue lights as official cars and motorbikes escoreted a black vehicle carrying the casket.

This is part of the preparations for the state funeral which Jacob Zuma said would take place. No date has yet been announced.

Meanwhile hundreds of mourners have gathered outside Madiba’s Houghton home to pay their respects.

To read more about Tata’s life and legacy click here

December 6, 12am:

Former president Nelson Mandela and the father of the nation died on 5 December.

President Jacob Zuma made the announcement shortly before midnight on 5 December.

In a live broadcast from the Union Buildings, Jacob Zuma said the former statesman passed away

peacefully in the company of his family at his Houghton home at 8.50pm.

“Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and

enduring loss,” Zuma said.

“The nation’s thoughts were with Madiba’s wife Graca Machel, his former wife Winnie Madikizela-
Mandela, his children, his grandchildren, his great grand-children and the entire family as well as his

friends, comrades and colleagues.”

All flags in the country will fly at half-mast on 6 December and remain lowered until after Mandela’s

funeral.

“Our thoughts are with the South African people who today mourn the loss of the one person who,

more than any other, came to embody their sense of a common nationhood,” said Zuma.

“Let us express, each in our own way, the deep gratitude we feel for a life spent in service of the

people of this country and in the cause of humanity. This is indeed the moment of our deepest

sorrow. Yet it must also be the moment of our greatest determination.”

Zuma said that Madiba had brought us together, and it is together that we bid him farewell.

Messages from world leaders began pouring in after the announcement was made.

US president Barack Obama said, “We have lost one of the most influential, courageous, and

profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth. He no longer

belongs to us – he belongs to the ages.”

“I cannot fully imagine my own life without the example that Nelson Mandela set, and so long as I

live I will do what I can to learn from him,” he added.

Obama, who is expected to attend Mandela’s state funeral, ordered the flags at the White House

and public buildings to be lowered to half-mast.

Meanwhile, as South Africans woke to news of Mandela’s death, crowds flocked to his Houghton

home on 6 December- holding candles and flags while singing struggle songs.

Social media was abuzz following the news of the former statesman’s death.

@MorganLPotter tweeted: “Today the World lost one of its greatest men. #RIP NelsonMandela, you

were a truly remarkable man and will be sorely missed.”

@ZOELIFE1: “RIPNelsonMandela …thank you for being an example and a beacon of hope not only

for Africa but for the world… #SouthAfricaunite.”

Mandela had been largely out of the public eye since the 2010 Soccer World Cup and had been

fighting several bouts of lung infection since 2011.

Mandela had been admitted to hospital on June 8 with a recurring lung infection.

He was discharged on September 1 and was being treated at his home.