Johannesburg – The FNB stadium broke into song and dance as President Jacob Zuma and several world leaders arrived at the FNB Stadium to join thousands of people, who are gathering for the late former President Nelson Mandela’s National Memorial Service.
As leaders walked into the venue, they were welcomed with screams, whistles and chants from the thousands of people who had thronged the stadium to remember South Africa’s most famous son. As expected, the atmosphere is electric, far from sombre, and it’s hard to see anyone who is sitting down or not singing. Even some journalists cannot hold their excitement with some joining in the festive mood.
Security is very tight around the venue and several streets around the stadium are cordoned off.
Inside, bullet-proof screens have been erected around podiums from which world leaders, including Barack Obama, will be seated. On Monday, State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele sounded confident that South Africa was ready to handle the task of managing an unprecedented logistical challenge of hosting close to 91 world leaders.
The gathering of world leaders for the memorial service has reportedly surpassed that for the 2005 funeral of Pope John Paul II, which was attended by 70 Heads of State and 14 regional leaders. This is perhaps an indication of the incredible influence and respect Mandela commanded from all corners of the world.
World leaders are expected to put their differences aside as they remember the man who is regarded as the global symbol of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation. They will probably remember Madiba’s first appearance at the United Nations headquarters in New York, 23 years ago which many say represented a beacon of hope for the oppressed.
“He was probably the greatest human being to ever live. We had them all, Diana (Princess of Wales) and Mother Teresa, but Mandela is in a league of his own,” said visiting French journalist Antonio Batho.
As news of Mandela’s death broke last week, international media houses moved to pay tribute with some describing him as “the father of the world."
The Indian Express described Mandela as a "global statesman and peace icon".
The memorial service programme will feature a series of tributes by some of the anti-apartheid icon's family and leaders amongst them his comrade and fellow prisoner on Robben Island Andrew Mlangeni and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.
Obama, who is on his way to the stadium, is also scheduled to speak. Obama once said, as a student, he drew inspiration from Mandela. – SAnews.gov.za
