President-elect Obama with Nancy Killefer, the new Chief Performance Officer, for his administration. The news conference held at the transition office in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 7, 2009. President-elect Obama with former Presidents Bush (41), Carter and Clinton and current President Bush at the WHite House on Jan. 7, 2009. (Photo by Pete Souza)
Cameron, Obama, Hollande among leaders at Mandela memorial in SA
French President Francois Hollande and British PM David Cameron will be among those attending Tuesday’s memorial. US president Barack Obama will be joined by three former US presidents; Jimmy Carter, George W Bush, Bill Clinton, their spouses and 26 Congressmen.
President-elect Obama with Nancy Killefer, the new Chief Performance Officer, for his administration. The news conference held at the transition office in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 7, 2009. President-elect Obama with former Presidents Bush (41), Carter and Clinton and current President Bush at the WHite House on Jan. 7, 2009. (Photo by Pete Souza)
US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama will travel to South Africa to pay their last respects to late former President Nelson Mandela.
Mandela will be laid to rest at his home in Qunu in the Eastern Cape on Sunday, 15 December following a week of national mourning, President Jacob Zuma announced on Friday.
Obama paid glowing tribute to Mandela, whom he regards as his personal hero. “They’re grieving the loss of a man, a moral giant who embodied dignity, courage and hope, and sought to bring about justice not only in South Africa, but I think to inspire millions around the world,” Obama said.
The Obamas will be joined by three former US presidents — Jimmy Carter, George W Bush, Bill Clinton and their spouses, and 26 Congressmen.
French President Francois Hollande and British PM David Cameron will be among those attending Tuesday’s memorial.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff will be accompanied for four former Heads of State: Presidents Sarney, Melo, Cardoso and Lula da Silva.
To date, 13 African states have confirmed attendance, in addition to 15 from outside the continent.
International and regional organisations from the United Nations and European Commission to the African Union have also confirmed attendance.
“The fact that international leaders are making their way to South Africa at such short notice, reflects the special place President Mandela holds in the hearts of people around the globe,” said Minister in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Collins Chabane.
“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.
The official memorial service for Mandela will take place at the FNB Stadium outside Soweto in Johannesburg on Tuesday 10 December. This is an international event that will be attended by members of the public alongside national and international leaders.
The former president will lie in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria from Wednesday 11 December to Friday 13 December. The public have been encouraged to line the memorial route from 1 Military hospital to the Union Buildings each morning to form a public guard of honour.
Prince Charles is to attend the funeral, with a royal spokeswoman saying he would be representing the Queen at the service in Qunu on 15 December.
On Monday 16 December, Day of Reconciliation, a statue of President Mandela will be unveiled at the 100th anniversary of the Union Buildings as the seat of government.
