via 53 heads of state for Mandela memorial 08/12/2013 by SAPA
A TOTAL of 53 heads of state have confirmed they will be attending the memorial for former South Africa president Nelson Mandela, International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said on Sunday.
Addressing reporters in Johannesburg, she said no invitations were sent out and that it was up to people whether they wanted to attend the memorial.
“We don’t issue invitations for funerals… we just confirmed with the Mandela family again that there were no invitations issued for this funeral.
“This is how we take care of funerals in our culture,” Nkoana-Mashabane said.
Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said international heads of state and royalty had started arriving in South Africa.
“The fact that international leaders are making their way to South Africa at such short notice reflects the special place president Nelson Mandela holds in the hearts of people around the globe,” he said.
“We are touched by the fact that many countries have declared periods of mourning, ordered that flags be flown at half-mast and draped or lit landmarks in the colours of the South African flag. We truly appreciate these gestures.”
Chabane said South Africa appreciated the willingness shown by people mourning, reflecting, and celebrating Mandela’s life and legacy.
He said 13 African heads of states had confirmed attendance.
International organisations, such as the United Nations, European Commission, and African Union, had also confirmed attendance.
Chabane said 11 eminent persons would also be in South Africa during this period.
US President Barack Obama would be accompanied by three of his country’s former presidents: Jimmy Carter, George W Bush and Bill Clinton and their spouses, and 26 congressmen.
Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff would be accompanied by four former heads of state.
“We expect more confirmations, and we wish to reiterate that our international guests are most welcome as they join us at this difficult time,” said Chabane.
AFP reported on Sunday that the Dalai Lama, who has twice since 2009 been denied a visa for South Africa, was not planning to attend his fellow Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela’s funeral, according to his spokesperson.
COMMENTS
Dalai Lama, do it.
Zimjim, do you recall the Zuma administeation denying Dalai lama a visa because they did not want to offend China. South Africa inotsvinya mudhara. Desmond Tutu castigated Zuma & co, but it was all in vain. The Dalai Lama would want to be in attendance given their share of oppression with Mandela, however i empathize with his predicament
Yes Mandela was a world icon despite what jealous detractors from usurped leadership who lead by instilling fear and murdering their own subjects and corrupt to the helm.
And Mugabe ll be accompany by the first lady, his second wife, Grace and all cabinet minister, mps and district leaders. They can be 140 all in all. In our culture rufu harudzingwi munhu chero anopenga. Just mind mugabe akaona Bush anogona kuhwanda mu coffin ramadiba, kana kutiza ne corpse
Herald, please read the above story. See, the whole world is drapped in South African colours. National sites are lit in South African flags. Foreign flags are flying at half mast. Except in Zimbabwe.
They recon Tanyanyiwa is more important than Mandela. Here soldiers are the centre point, they are the economy, they are the “thing”. They recon Mandela is a nonentity, never a hero, never worth the mourning.
We will wait and see if the same thing above will happen to their failed, corrupt, unloved kadhara. Its ridiculous!! Nxaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
When Mobutu Sese Seko died in 1997 there were only six people at his funeral.Compare and constract.
Mugabe will be accompanied by four former heads of state!?!?
Kwakwakwakwa….asi Bob haanyare nazvo here….kunzi vamwe vari kuwuya vari kuwuya with former. Just goes to show why everything is wrong in Zim…. the people that vote for Bob remind me of “pastor” Gumbura’s wives
Hlaba apa wandipedza manje. Kkkkk
53 Heads of States and …..bob
There are no former heads of state in Zimbabwe. Its Bob one way. Mugabe ruled from President Clinton to President Bush to President Obama. He is his own icon in his own way and he celebrates that everyday of his life. Viva President Mandela viva! You are in no way comparable to Rorbet Mugabe.
Leave Mugabe alone .He is ruling coz God still luvs him
I think you will find it’s the other “world leader” rubbing his hands in glee and anticipation ….. down below in the firey furnace of hell.
The Gukurawundi should leave his gukurawundi culture back home in the Gukurawundi Republic, should he decide to attend the great man Mandela’s funeral.
In Mzansi we talk love, nation building and national harmony; not gukurawundism!!
Mandela was in power for just five years; apartheid was in power since 1948; colonialism for over a 100 years. Now tell me, can you undo colonialism and apartheid in just five years; is that possible?
In fact Mandela was effectively in power for four years; the last one year of his five year term, it was Thabo Mbeki who was effectively running the nation’s affairs. Mandela felt he had played his role; it was time for the younger generation of leaders to take over. Why not ask, “What did Thabo Mbeki do for blacks in South Africa?” seeing that he has been the longest serving Black president Mzansi?
Mugabe was in power for ten years; 1980 to 1990, what did he do for blacks economically? He was dazzled with western whites’ adoration; refused Joshua Nkomo’s advice to transfer land to blacks in an orderly fashion; travelled the western capitals, meeting after meeting and shopping whilst at the same time massacring his own people back home. All along the west looked the other way as he conveniently served their interests!!!!!
I don’t think old man’s funeral will b the same as the hero of the world “Mandela” just wait and if zanu is not going to force people and school kids I’m not sure if old man’s funeral can atract more than 200 people, if he gets more than its only that people they want to see if its true the devil is gone.
Mugabe will be accompanied by 6 former heads of state namely Canan Banana,Abel Muzorerwa,Ian Smith, Lobengula and muzilikazi.