Mandela laid to rest in solemn ceremony at childhood village

President Jakaya Kikwete speaks during the funeral service of late South African President Nelson Mandela in his childhood village of Qunu yesterday. Far right: Members of the South African armed forces move Mandela’s coffin to the burial site. PHOTOS | AFP 

By The Citizen Reporter and Agencies

In Summary

• Mandela was laid to rest in his childhood village of Qunu, marking the end of an exceptional journey for the prisoner-turned-president, who ended the apartheid era and transformed South Africa in 1994.

Finally, the journey of former South African first black President Nelson Rolihlahla Dalibunga Mandela, also known by his clan name Madiba, which started over 95 years ago, ended yesterday in a state funeral that saw political tributes and tears flow among 4,500 mourners.

Mandela was laid to rest in his childhood village of Qunu, marking the end of an exceptional journey for the prisoner-turned-president, who ended the apartheid era and transformed South Africa in 1994.

In keeping with Xhosa tradition, Mandela was laid to rest in the afternoon, when the sun is at its highest. He was was buried at around 12.40pm.

Under the scorching sun, a military escort accompanied his coffin to the burial site and took off the national flag that draped his casket.

White wreaths sat around the casket as Mandela’s widow, Graca Machel, and others watched from under a tent with helicopters carrying flags whizzing past.

The farewell by the country and fellow African leaders was a reluctant one.

“We did not want to confront the reality of your mortality,” South African President Jacob Zuma said in a eulogy that tried to address doubts about the country’s current leadership voiced in the wake of Mandela’s death.

“Thank you. Thank you for being everything we needed and wanted in a leader during a difficult period in our lives… for building a free South Africa,” Mr Zuma told mourners in Qunu.

Mr Zuma said an outpouring of grief across South Africa in the past 10 days was the nation’s natural response to the goodness Mandela had radiated.

“As your journey ends today, ours must continue in earnest. One thing we can assure you of today, Tata, as you take your final steps, is that South Africa will continue to rise,” he said.

“We plan to take your vision forward.”

The service 
 The service started with a sombre military procession wheeling his casket into the tent. Residents watched and danced in what has become a familiar celebration of his life.

Inside the tent, the wall of candles flickered, casting a soft glow on tearful mourners.

And as the national anthem “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” or “God Bless Africa” drifted over the rolling hills, a giant picture of Mandela smiled down on mourners.

The mourners gathered early for the funeral in a marquee on Mandela’s family farm, awaiting Mandela’s casket that was carried through the green countryside in a military procession and placed on cowhides.European dignitaries included Britain’s Prince Charles, Monaco’s Prince Albert and former French prime minister Lionel Jospin.

African leaders included President Jakaya Kikwete, Malawian President Joyce Banda and Zambia’s first post-colonial president Kenneth Kaunda—all of whom delivered eulogies.

Former president Thabo Mbeki was brought to tears as President Kikwete recalled ANC leaders’ days in exile in Dar es Salaam and how Mandela left behind in Tanzania a pair of boots, promising to return soon, but was arrested and jailed and sentenced to life imprisonment after returning to South Africa.

Mwalimu Nyerere, having learnt that his comrade has been arrested and jailed, kept the black boots for three decades.

When Mandela was released in February 1990 after spending 27 years behind bars, the first country he visited was Tanzania, where he met Mwalimu, who reminded him the boots he left behind thirty years ago.

President Kikwete told mourners that during those tough moments when the apartheid regime declined to issue travel documents to ANC leaders including Mandela, Tanzania granted him a passport which he used to travel around the world.

“Nelson Mandela was our leader, our hero, our icon and our father as much as he was yours,” President Kikwete said, regaling mourners with tales of a secret visit Mandela made in 1962 to Dar es Salaam to muster support for the ANC.

During his fight against apartheid, Mandela fled to Tanzania, which housed the headquarters of his party, the African National Congress. The white minority government had banned it in South Africa.

The funeral and burial cap 10 days of national mourning for a man whose fame transcended borders.

 

Mandela’s body arrived on Saturday in the sleepy village of Qunu in Eastern Cape province, where he grew up surrounded by lush, tranquil hills and velvety green grass.

Before its arrival in Qunu, it lay in state for three days in Pretoria. After an emotional service at the air base there, which included the handing over of his body to the ruling African National Congress, it was put in a military helicopter for the final leg of his journey.

Though he dined with kings and presidents in his lifetime, the international icon relished his time at the village. He herded cows and goats there as a child, and always said it’s where he felt most at peace. Some of his children are also buried there.

“He really believed this is where he belonged,” said his daughter, Maki Mandela.

Banda saluted the quiet dignity of Mandela’s widow Graça Machel. “Women across South Africa have told me these past 10 days that they are very proud of you and what you have taught us as African women.”

After she spoke, there was laughter when ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa teasingly said she was from “Malawi. Yes, Malawi”—a reference to a recent faux pas by Zuma when he lamented the poor state of roads in that country. Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela smiled and playfully poked Zuma, who chuckled.

Mandela was imprisoned for defying the racist apartheid government that led South Africa for decades. He emerged from prison in 1990 and became South Africa’s first black president four years later, all the while promoting forgiveness and reconciliation

His defiance of white minority rule and long incarceration for fighting against segregation focused the world’s attention on apartheid, the legalized racial segregation enforced by the South African government until 1994.

Years after his 1999 retirement from the presidency, Mandela was considered the ideal head of state. He became a yardstick for African leaders, who consistently fell short when measured against him.

Following the service, family and friends walked to the gravesite, overlooking the rural home he loved so much, to say goodbye.

After a life spent in the public spotlight, Mandela’s final rites were a fiercely private affair.

A family deprived of their husband and father during his 27 years in apartheid prisons and many more years in public service seized it as an intimate last goodbye to a man who meant much to millions.\
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A live television broadcast followed the coffin to the graveside but was cut after several minutes in line with the family’s wishes.

Overseen by male members of his clan in line with traditional Xhosa rites, the burial included the slaughter of an ox -- a ritual marking of a life’s milestones.

Mandela was referred to throughout as Dalibhunga, the name given to him at the age of 16 after undergoing the initiation to adulthood.

After the ceremony Bizos -- who was Mandela’s defence lawyer -- echoed the heartbreak of a nation.

“We have known each other for 65 years,” Bizos said, “now he is gone.”

“It has been a difficult 10 days.”