Mandela’s funeral on December 15, preparations begin. 5-day state mourning in India

mangaloretoday.com

Johannesburg, Dec 6:  Preparations began Friday for the state funeral of South Africa’s liberation hero Nelson Mandela, as the world mourned the peace icon’s passing.

Heads of state from around the world, including US President Barack Obama, and well-known personalities who were close to the statesman like Oprah Winfrey and Bill and Hillary Clinton are expected to attend.

 

South African anti-apartheid hero Mandela died peacefully at home in Johannesburg at the age of 95 on Thursday after months fighting a lung infection, leaving his nation and the world in mourning for a man revered as a moral giant.

The body of South Africa’s anti- apartheid legend Nelson Mandela was today taken to a military hospital here as preparations for the December 15 state funeral of the peace icon began.

Escorted by military motorcycle outriders, a black SUV carried Mandela’s coffin, draped in South Africa’s flag, to the military hospital’s morgue from his home.

Mandela will lie in state at the seat of government the Union Buildings in the capital city of Pretoria.

In a television address to the nation, South African President Jacob Zuma said Mandela would be laid to rest on December 15 at Qunu in Eastern Cape province.

Funeral will draw a galaxy of leaders and other dignitaries from across the world.

5-day state mourning in India


The Indian government on Friday announced a five-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Nelson Mandela.

A decision to this effect was taken at a special meeting of the Union Cabinet, which condoled the death of the anti-apartheid icon.

"Mandela was the tallest leader of not only his generation but possibly this entire paradigm. The role that he personally played in dismantling the apartheid is something exemplary," Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said after the meeting.

A prisoner of conscience for over 20 years, the South African leader played an extremely vital role in giving a moral leadership to the world, he said.

"The entire nation is one with the South African people in condoling his sad demise.

"The Cabinet met Friday and passed a resolution condoling the death of Dr Nelson Mandela and it has been decided that there would be five days’ state mourning...," he said.

During the period of state mourning beginning Friday, the national flag will be flown at half mast all over the country and there will be no official entertainment.

The state mourning will be observed till December 10, a government notification said.