Mandela escorted to his final resting place as world mourns icon’s passing

The coffin of South African leader Nelson Mandela is lowered before it is buried in the compound of his former home in Qunu on December 15, 2013. Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, died in Johannesburg on December 5 at age 95. AFP PHOTO / CARL DE SOUZA 

In Summary

• Among those in attendance were the frail and ageing leaders of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle: George Bizos, Desmond Tutu and Kathrada, whose words left many in tears.
• President Zuma rose to deliver his eulogy at 10:25am. He was preceded by a traditional praise singer delivering a poem in praise of Mr Mandela before the President led mourners in a dirge ahead of his address.

By MUGUMO MUNENE
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Nelson Mandela was Sunday buried at his Qunu home in the Eastern Cape at a stately but somber ceremony.

The funeral brought to an end the 10 days of mourning announced by the South African government as millions of people across the world bade their final farewell to the freedom hero and global icon.

Millions of people in South Africa followed the funeral service from stadia and other venues where the programme was broadcast on big screens for those who could not be admitted to Qunu.

About 4,500 invited mourners gathered in Qunu, Mandela’s home village to pay their last respects in a ceremony televised across the world.

Only about 450 people were at the burial site where elders from the aba-Themba clan performed some traditional rites at about 1 pm. The actual burial was not televised and no journalist was allowed after the family requested for privacy during the final farewell.

Mr Mandela was escorted to his final resting place during a colourful but sombre ceremony which was a mosaic of military, Christian, political and traditional values.

Although mourners grieved, Mr Mandela himself was prepared for his final journey.

“Death is something inevitable,” he had said in 1994. “When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for eternity”.

President Zuma rose to deliver his eulogy at 10:25am. He was preceded by a traditional praise singer delivering a poem in praise of Mr Mandela before the President led mourners in a dirge ahead of his address.

His delivery was an address to Mr Mandela, a similarity to Xhosa traditions where elders address the dead directly

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“When people see goodness in a person they respond by reflecting goodness to that person and their fellow men and women,” President Zuma said.

“Your long walk to freedom has ended in the physical sense. Our own continues.”

“We have to take your legacy forward. In doing so, we will continue drawing lessons from your very rich and extraordinary life.”

Mr Zuma pledged to continue building a South Africa of the free and the just and to carry on Mandela’s legacy of mutual respect across gender and race.

“We learn from you that to build a new South Africa from the ashes of apartheid we needed to rise above anger and the human desire for retribution. In this way you offered hope in the place of hopelessness,” he said. “One thing we can assure you Tata as you take your final steps is that South Africa will continue to rise.”

The family tribute was delivered by Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima.

Speaking in Xhosa, he condemned the booing and heckling that marred Mr Zuma’s Tuesday’s memorial speech at FNB Stadium outside of Soweto in Johannesburg.

The traditional leader said that the display was a betrayal of Madiba, the name by which Mr Mandela was fondly known by his clansmen.

Close friend Ahmed Kathrada delivered an emotional tribute to his fellow anti-apartheid hero.

“How I wish I never had to confront what I saw,” Mr Kathrada said of the frail Mr Mandela he saw in his last days.

“What I saw in hospital was a man helpless, reduced to a shadow of himself; he has now joined the ANC’s A-team in heaven,” Mr Kathrada said.

The obituary was delivered by grandson Ndaba Mandela to the humming of the soulful ‘God be with you till we meet again’ by a mass choir.

On behalf of Mandela’s children and family, Ms Nandi Mandela said Madiba truly cared and provided for them. “He took it upon himself to see to it that they got a good education,” she said.

“Your love for children was immeasurable. We love you Tata Umkhulu.”

A 21-gun salute and full military honour guard had escorted Mandela’s coffin to the marquee where mourners said their final goodbyes.

His flag-draped casket was placed on cow skins, surrounded by 95 candles — each signifying a year of his extraordinary life.

Among those in attendance were the frail and ageing leaders of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle: George Bizos, Desmond Tutu and Kathrada, whose words left many in tears.