Thousands of mourners from KwaZulu-Natal have paid their last respects and celebrated the life of former President Nelson Mandela at a memorial service at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday 13 December 2013.
The service, organised by the KwaZulu-Natal Government and the eThekwini Municipality, attracted more than 35 000 people from throughout the province.
The memorial service formed part of a week long programme to honour the struggle icon following his passing away at his home in Houghton last Thursday.
Speakers at the event emphasised the importance of honouring the legacy of Tata Mandela, and to reflect on the values he stood for such as forgiveness, peace and reconciliation.
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Senzo Mchunu called on the people of the Province to unite in prayer and reflect on the great job Madiba has done.
“Madiba was an embodiment of hope. We loved him, we trusted him and we followed him. He was everything to us,” said Mchunu.
Mayor James Nxumalo, thanked the people of eThekwini and KwaZulu-Natal for observing Madiba’s memorial service with dignity.
“We think it is fitting that eThekwini hosts an event of this magnitude because we feature prominently in the story of Madiba. A place like Ohlange, the home of the founding President of the African National Congress, Dr John Langalibalele Dube, is Madiba’s spiritual home because that is where he voted for the first time in 1994,” Nxumalo said.
Nxumalo said through Madiba’s efforts South Africa was a much better place than it was before 1994.
Meanwhile, a night vigil will be held in honour of Madiba at the Moses Mabhida Stadium People’s Park, today, 14 December 2013. The funeral service will also be screened live at the same venue as well as other public viewing areas in KwaMashu, Umlazi and Inanda on Sunday, 15 December 2013.
