Daily Archives: December 14, 2013

Mandela to be buried next to relatives


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Johannesburg – Former president Nelson Mandela will be buried next to his relatives in Qunu on Sunday following a state funeral.

Mandela’s father Mphakanyiswa Gadla Henry, his mother Noqaphi Nosekeni and his son Magkatho Lewanika Mandela are buried at the family grave site in the Eastern Cape village. It was Mandela’s wish to buried next to his family.

President Jacob Zuma announced last week that the struggle icon would be given a state funeral.

About 5 000 people are expected to attend the state funeral, among them Britain’s Prince Charles, African Union Commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda and US civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who presided over the funerals of other struggle heroes such as Steve Biko, Chris Hani and Walter Sisulu, would not attend the funeral.

On Saturday, Tutu said he had cancelled his flight to the Eastern Cape to attend the funeral after he received no indication that his name was on the guest list.

Remains

The government said Tutu should have called if he wanted to attend the funeral because no invites were sent out. However, the archbishop did not call.

Mandela began his final journey home to Qunu on Saturday as an air force plane carrying his casket took off from Pretoria, where tens of thousands of mourners had viewed him lying in state.

His body arrived at the Mthatha airport shortly after 14:00 and some members of the Mandela family, Abathembu chiefs and other dignitaries kept watch as the plane came to a standstill.

Mandela’s body was then moved to Qunu.

Members of his family accompanied his remains to the village.

A public vigil would be held on Saturday night at the Walter Sisulu University’s Nelson Mandela Drive campus.

After the state funeral has concluded on Sunday, the AbaThembu would receive the body to bury it according to royal protocol.

Mandela died at his Houghton, Johannesburg, home at the age of 95 on 5 December.

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‘Madiba’ spirit will live on’


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Mthatha – The passage of Nelson Mandela’s funeral cortege through the streets of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape on Saturday evoked a range of emotions from those who turned out to bid the struggle icon goodbye.

An emotional Zoliswe Nxele told Sapa that her heart was pumping and that she was both happy and sad.

“I am happy to be here, but sad that they [the cortege] moved so fast,” she said, with tears rolling down her face.

“I am in shock.”

Comforting her, friend Lumka Mabongo said the Mandela family should know that as the former statesman was there for South Africa, South Africans would be there for his family.

“Remember, he is still alive in us all. The spirit of Tata Madiba will live on in South Africa and we are here for you,” she said, wiping away tears with a South African flag draped around her shoulders.

Cheering and the tolling of cathedral bells earlier marked the journey of the procession through the town.

Many of those watching used their cellphones to take pictures or make a video recording of the event.

As it passed, led by military outriders, many people began running after it along the sides of the road, shouting: “Nelson Mandela!”

Two military helicopters circled above, while a police helicopter hovered nearby.

After the procession had left, one group of women shouted that they had driven too fast.

“We did not see anything; you could have just [as well] flown him to the farm [Mandela’s Qunu homestead],” a woman shouted.

“People came to see Tata. We stood in the sun all morning, and we saw nothing but lights.”

Several people told Sapa they were upset that the people in Qunu and surrounding areas, including Mthatha, did not get a chance to view the body and say goodbye.

“This was a very emotional experience, but the hearse was moving too fast. We didn’t get a chance to say goodbye, or even have a moment of silence,” Hazel Majuqwana said.

“People in Pretoria were given more opportunity, but this is where he grew up.”

Bambihlelo Majuqwana agreed, and said he was close to the family after he received a scholarship — to study in the United Kingdom — from the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

He said traditionally funerals were usually open to people, but, because it could not be, the government should have provided the people of Qunu and Mthatha a chance to stay goodbye.

“This was a very emotional day. In a way the public were denied an opportunity to say goodbye, but we appreciate the chance to see the procession. Just a pity they drove so fast.”

Earlier, hundreds of people carrying South African flags marched down Mthatha’s Nelson Mandela Drive behind the procession, singing struggle songs.

Nokubonga Molondolo said: “Even in death, he united people from different backgrounds. We all took hands.”

Her friend Zuky Nkawu said being there was an overwhelming experience and she had been overcome with excitement and sadness as the hearse passed.

Another friend, Pelisa Nongwe, said Saturday was the perfect Mandela experience.

“This is perfect for people who didn’t know Madiba or the impact he had. Different people from everywhere connected here today for a great man,” she said.

“We are sad that we could not see him, but we understand there is a big crowd here and anything can happen. But this day is written in history and in our hearts.”

The military opened roads in Mthatha to traffic about 10 minutes after the procession exited the town.

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‘Madiba’ spirit will live on’


Mthatha – The passage of Nelson Mandela’s funeral cortege through the streets of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape on Saturday evoked a range of emotions from those who turned out to bid the struggle icon goodbye.

An emotional Zoliswe Nxele told Sapa that her heart was pumping and that she was both happy and sad.

“I am happy to be here, but sad that they [the cortege] moved so fast,” she said, with tears rolling down her face.

“I am in shock.”

Comforting her, friend Lumka Mabongo said the Mandela family should know that as the former statesman was there for South Africa, South Africans would be there for his family.

“Remember, he is still alive in us all. The spirit of Tata Madiba will live on in South Africa and we are here for you,” she said, wiping away tears with a South African flag draped around her shoulders.

Cheering and the tolling of cathedral bells earlier marked the journey of the procession through the town.

Many of those watching used their cellphones to take pictures or make a video recording of the event.

As it passed, led by military outriders, many people began running after it along the sides of the road, shouting: “Nelson Mandela!”

Two military helicopters circled above, while a police helicopter hovered nearby.

After the procession had left, one group of women shouted that they had driven too fast.

“We did not see anything; you could have just [as well] flown him to the farm [Mandela’s Qunu homestead],” a woman shouted.

“People came to see Tata. We stood in the sun all morning, and we saw nothing but lights.”

Several people told Sapa they were upset that the people in Qunu and surrounding areas, including Mthatha, did not get a chance to view the body and say goodbye.

“This was a very emotional experience, but the hearse was moving too fast. We didn’t get a chance to say goodbye, or even have a moment of silence,” Hazel Majuqwana said.

“People in Pretoria were given more opportunity, but this is where he grew up.”

Bambihlelo Majuqwana agreed, and said he was close to the family after he received a scholarship — to study in the United Kingdom — from the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

He said traditionally funerals were usually open to people, but, because it could not be, the government should have provided the people of Qunu and Mthatha a chance to stay goodbye.

“This was a very emotional day. In a way the public were denied an opportunity to say goodbye, but we appreciate the chance to see the procession. Just a pity they drove so fast.”

Earlier, hundreds of people carrying South African flags marched down Mthatha’s Nelson Mandela Drive behind the procession, singing struggle songs.

Nokubonga Molondolo said: “Even in death, he united people from different backgrounds. We all took hands.”

Her friend Zuky Nkawu said being there was an overwhelming experience and she had been overcome with excitement and sadness as the hearse passed.

Another friend, Pelisa Nongwe, said Saturday was the perfect Mandela experience.

“This is perfect for people who didn’t know Madiba or the impact he had. Different people from everywhere connected here today for a great man,” she said.

“We are sad that we could not see him, but we understand there is a big crowd here and anything can happen. But this day is written in history and in our hearts.”

The military opened roads in Mthatha to traffic about 10 minutes after the procession exited the town.

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Mental Health Co-ordinator: Nyaope is rife in Taung


Mongalanyane
By Obakeng Maje
Taung-The Department of Social Development did door-to-door campaign in Taung teaching the community about the danger of drugs and substance abuse.

The campaign was led by rre Onkemetse Kabasia, a Chief Director in Specialist Social Service department.

The campaign started at Taung Hospital and went through Chief’s Court and ended at Taung Station.

The message was to inform the youth and community at large to refrain from using drugs.

Sello Mongalanyane, a co-ordinator at Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Health department shed more light on why Taung is a hotspot of drugs.

“Taung is one of the most ravaged areas by drugs and substance abuse. Most of victims we receive recently are from Taung, so that is why we decided to come and warn the community about the danger they are facing” Mongalanyane said.

He said the symptoms and signs are always there when one suspects a loved one is hooked.

“Although different drugs have different physical effects, the signs of addiction are similar. You will see the user neglecting his/her responsibilities at school like flunking classess, work, or neglecting his/her children” said Mongalanyane.

Recreational or prescription drug abuse can cause problem at work, home, school, and in relationships and they will leave you feeling isolated, helpless, or ashamed.

“The other symptoms are, you will see the user may be steals to support his/her drug habit. Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual. Change in appetite or sleep pattern” he outlines.

Mongalanyane said also sudden weight loss or weight gain may be considered.

The department said Nyaope and other drugs are rife in the area and community need to act swiftly to uproot the problem.-TDN
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Not the time to settle scores- Zuma


Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma on Saturday berated politicians who might use Nelson Mandela’s death to try and settle scores.
“Comrades, I would be very happy that as we mourn and celebrate Madiba, we do not abuse his name,” he said at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, in Pretoria.

We should not think that Madiba’s passing is a time for settling scores,” Zuma said at an ANC ceremony before Mandela’s body would be flown to the Eastern Cape for his state funeral on Sunday.

“[If you try settle scores], it means you do not understand Madiba and you will never understand him, because he was a man of honesty.”

Zuma said Mandela was great because he was a thinker and a doer.

“He [Mandela] combined two things that are not easy to do: to combine theory and practice.”

This week eNCA news reported that former president Thabo Mbeki suggested South Africa needed better leadership after Mandela.

“Exactly because we are dealing with this more complex struggle, we need to raise the level of the quality of leadership,” Mbeki told a memorial service for Mandela at the Calvary Church, in Midrand, on Wednesday night.

“To accelerate this progress that we need, we’ll come back to this matter about the quality of leadership,” Mbeki said.

Mandela died last Thursday at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, at the age of 95.

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‘Stay Away From Drugs Or Die Young’


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By Boineelo Molebiemang
Taung-There is a growing recognition that Taung is one of the regions with a growing population of drug addicts.

Statistics shows that the place is awash with drugs and concerned residents and the police are trying to curb out the pandemic.

The department of social development and other organizations systematized a march on Friday at Taung complex, raising the alarm about the dangers of abusing drugs.

Thato, 25 whose identity cannot be fully disclosed stood bravely amongst the crowd and shared his moving story about being one of the victims of substance abuse. He eventually received help from the department of Social Development and SANPARK Rehabilitation centre and withdrew from those substances.

“With the current proliferation of substance abuse, the consumption of alcohol and drugs is horrifying”, said Chief Director of Specialists and Social Services Onkemetse Kabasia.

“Drugs can damage your body and they can also damage your reputation and future” he said.

Mr Kabasia stated that young people are being taught about drugs, however, the pressure they receive from friends and ignorance are the reasons why young people engage in these risky behaviours.

Vela Ntuli from Fatlhogang Youth Support Organization said that parents should be extra vigilant of the behaviour of their children. “Children should be monitored at all times and they should have curfews. Our aim as a Youth Support Club is to teach young people of Taung about the menaces of substance abuse”, said Ntuli.

A quote from SANPARK Rehabilitation Centre encouraging young people to be more prudent of what they are doing to their bodies. “Alcohol is barren- the word a man speaks in the night of drunkenness fade like the darkness itself at the coming of day”.-TDN
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Graca wips tears away as she receives SA flag


Johannesburg – Nelson Mandela’s widow Graca Machel wiped away tears on Saturday as she was given the ANC flag which had been draped over her husband’s coffin.

Machel repeatedly dabbed her eyes with a tissue and looked down after receiving the carefully folded black, gold, and green flag during a special ANC tribute ceremony at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria.

Struggle heroes Ahmed Kathrada and Andrew Mlangeni were among the pallbearers who carried former president Nelson Mandela’s coffin out, ready to be loaded onto an awaiting aircraft.

The frail-looking long-time friends of Mandela took their places alongside the coffin and helped to wheel it out of the hangar. It would be flown to the Eastern Cape, ahead of the state funeral in Qunu on Sunday, the rural area where Mandela spent much of his childhood.

Earlier, two of Mandela’s grandsons thanked members of the African National Congress for the ceremony.

Ndaba Mandela called the ANC “the greatest African political organisation” without which “we would not have known Nelson Mandela”.

Mandela, who was South Africa’s first democratically-elected president, died at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, last Thursday, at the age of 95.

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Some snooze during ceremony


Johannesburg – Some members of the audience began to nod off during President Jacob Zuma’s speech during the ANC send-off for former president Nelson Mandela in Pretoria on Saturday.

Some struggled to stay awake during the lengthy speech, which included a history of the ANC, while others looked at their phones and tablets, at the Waterkloof Air Force Base.

By 09:00 he had been speaking for 30 minutes. Zuma was addressing an African National Congress ceremony before Mandela’s body is to be flown to the Eastern Cape for his state funeral on Sunday.

Earlier, he said Mandela was great because he was a thinker and a doer.

“He [Mandela] combined two things that are not easy to do – to combine theory and practice.”

Mandela died last Thursday at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, at the age of 95.
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‘We will meet again’- Mandla Mandela


Johannesburg – Watching the public pay homage to former president Nelson Mandela showed the future is bright, his grandson Mandla Mandela said on Saturday.

“For the past three days I have sat with my grandfather while he was lying in state [at the Union Buildings in Pretoria].

“I have witnessed his army. I have witnessed his people. I have witnessed ordinary citizens… and I can assure the ANC that the future of this country looks bright,” Mandla Mandela said at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria during a special ANC ceremony to pay tribute to the global icon.

“There is still a long way to go and we will meet again on freedom day.”

Mandla Mandela also recited his grandfather’s clan names and gave a royal salute at his coffin, reciting “Aaah! Dalibhunga”, the traditional royal greeting, three times.

Earlier, in a move characteristic of his grandfather, he began his address with a joke, telling the audience that when he was nine-years-old he believed himself to be very popular because people were always shouting “Amandla” and “Viva Mandela”.

He then greeted President Jacob Zuma, former president Thabo Mbeki, the leadership of the ANC, the tripartite alliance, his grandfather’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandla, and widow Graca Machel.

He read the official obituary of his grandfather, who died at his Houghton home in Johannesburg last Thursday, at the age of 95.

Machel at times followed a printed version of the obituary as Mandla Mandela read it.

Golden diamond

Madikizela-Mandela sat with her hands on her lap, looking down throughout.

Poet Mzwakhe Mbuli recited a poem in honour of Mandela and other struggle stalwarts.

Mbuli called Mandela a golden diamond that had gone through the fires of time and also thanked the women who had waited for their men during apartheid, trapped in the “dungeons of hell”.

Earlier, SA National Civic Organisation representative Ruth Bhengu thanked both Machel and Madikizela-Mandela, saying “We thank Mama Winnie for the support she gave to Tata. We also want to thank Mama Graca for caring for Tata until the end”.

Addressing Mandela, Bhengu said: “You have taught us to be responsible citizens… Those are the things that you taught us Tata and we will carry on where you left off”.

SA Communist Party second deputy general secretary Solly Mapaila said Mandela would always be remembered as a revolutionary servant.

Mandela’s body will be flown from the base to the Eastern Cape later on Saturday morning. He will be buried in Qunu, where he spent most of his childhood, on Sunday.
Friends, colleagues, comrades and family of Nelson Mandela are invited to share their memories and tributes, and to light a candle for him, on his profile at Remembered.co.za.

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