Nelson Mandela received a dignitary salute funeral this weekend in his native home of Qunu, South Africa. Mandela received a 21 -gun salute, as helicopters flew across the sky with the South African flags waving across the land. As I watched the commemoration of a global icon I was brought to tears.
Mandela spent 27 years of his life in prison for his iconic role in leading the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa in a time where race relations were extremely tense. After his release from prison, Mandela was elected president of his country Mandela is a living example that ‘CHANGE‘ can only come when one is willing to be ‘BRAVE‘, ‘COURAGEOUS’, and willing to ‘SACRIFICE’ their lives for the betterment of others.
The Latimes report:
Nelson Mandela was laid to rest Sunday in the rolling green hills of the Eastern Cape where he was born, leaving South Africans with a gaping sense that they will never see a leader as great as him again.
The crowds left his grave site, a host of luxury vehicles drove away and a chilling downpour of rain blew in.
About 4,500 mourners filled a vast domed tent for the state funeral, with relatives, princes, African leaders, celebrities and members of Mandela’s ruling African National Congress arriving from dawn onward to say goodbye one last time.
Mandela was buried close to the graves of three of his children, on a hillside between his homestead and a highway in the small rural village of Qunu.
BET aired the live broadcast on Sunday Dec. 15th. Music artist Wyclef Jean, Sojourner Truth, Bernice King [Martin Luther Kin’s daughter], New York, Mayor David Denkins, and actress, Alfre Woodard shared their fondest memories of meeting Mandela and the talked about his global impact on the world.
Bernice King said:
“He was hero. He was chosen to stabilize and liberate a nation I was really caught up in seeing him. I met him at the same age as the time Mandela spent time in prion, age 27. He was the embodiment of that. Had he not embrace his adversities, had he decided to hold on to the anger, the bitterness and resentment they’re probably would’ve of been more blood shed. After he emerged from prison, I was wrestling with alot of anger and bitterness and just watching the way he conducted himself was very healing for me.”
Sojourner Truth reflected on when she met Mandela:
“I could see the freckles on his skin, and the molds on his skin and I could see the damage that was done to his pupils from working in the line fields in prison. And it just dawned on me that here’s a man that has done extraordinary things yet he was so ordinary. This man became president after being a prisoner, all the amazing things that he done is so INSPIRING.“
Actress, Alfre Woodard said
“What Mandela did was show us that it is about the fact that every human being has power, and that is the gift that he gave us.”
“It is AMAZING in one’s lifetime to actually see another human being transform the world! “
New York Mayor David Denkins said:
” Imagine who among us could not be constantly angry were we treated the way Mandela was. But here’s a man who is willing to put his life on the line and he did. Because he knew if he was captured it meant treason and if convicted of that the penalty is death but they wisely decided to give him life imprisonment. I suspect that was to keep him from being more of martr. “
” New York was the first place Mandela visited after spending 27 years in prison. He was a very pleasant, easy going person. I say that he is the greatest world wide figure in the last 100 years to be privilege to be that close to him is ugh. [lost for words].”
Mandela’s wife Graça Machel and former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela attended the funeral where they received special mention in a speech from Malawian President, Joyce Banda.
” The love and tolerance you have demonstrated before the whole world at the funeral shows us that you are prepared to continue his ideal, said Banda “
Prince Charles attended the funeral on behalf of the palace with a letter from the Queen herself to Mandela’s family.
Oprah Winfrey and Steadman Graham attended the funeral. Both Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mandela won Nobel Peace Prizes for their work in bringing an end to apartheid in 1993 . However, Tutu was un-pleased that the funeral excluded the use of the African language and the Dutch Reformed Church at the funeral service. Tutu said he almost did not attend the service of his dear friend because he was not invited but he did offer the following:
“Madiba [Mandela’s clan name] was a nation builder. I pray that we will uphold this critical aspect of his mission forever. “
R.I.P Nelson Mandela!