As Nelson Mandela is laid to rest, a week SA will never forget – plus video tribute by GIBS’s Nick Binedell
It's going to be quite a week for South Africans as the nation lays its favourite son to rest. This CNBC Africa Power Lunch video and transcript lists some of the visiting dignitaries – with insights, too, from Nelson Mandela's deputy and subsequent successor Thabo Mbeki. Have also included a lovely tribute by GIBS Dean Nick Binedell at the bottom of the transcript. One of the best from a man who knew him well. – AH
ALEC HOGG: Details of funeral arrangements and memorial services have been announced by government for the late Nelson Mandela. Let's have a look.
MALE SPEAKER: International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane made a media announcement on Sunday afternoon regarding the funeral arrangement and official list of visiting Heads of State and government
MAITE NKOANA-MASHABANE: The overwhelming messages of support and condolences that we received from the international community, confirms once again that the struggles for the underprivileged and the oppressed that the father of our nation – Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela – stood for, had borne fruits that people still associate his people's struggles – the struggle of the people of South Africa… We're still the struggling masses and the voiceless across the world.
MALE SPEAKER: Madiba's funeral week has had an unprecedented response of attending Heads of State. At last count, 53 have so far confirmed for an upcoming memorial event on Tuesday, with a small number attending the funeral service in Madiba's rural home of Qunu in the Eastern Cape.
MAITE NKOANA -MSHABANE: The message we are already witnessing is what Madiba said: 'it always seems impossible until it's done, and it can be done peacefully'. We believe that when our visitors get back after this funeral we'll say, indeed, 'the long walk to freedom has been tedious and has been long, but this is what the people of South Africa have achieved in the 19 years since the dawn of democracy and freedom, led by non-other than our father the international icon.
MALE SPEAKER: Amongst the attendees, who already confirmed, are US President Barack Obama, French President Francois Hollande, former US Presidents Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Jimmy Carter, as well as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon. However, Madiba was also revered amongst celebrities, and his biggest groupies will also be in attendance. Those who have confirmed include US talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, U2 lead singer and activist Bono, Richard Branson, and singer Peter Gabriel. The day however, was for mourning. Across churches, synagogues, and all places of worship, prayers were being said in the name of Tata. Former President Thabo Mbeki cast his thoughts to the collective generation of South Africa's leaders that have since passed on.
THABO MBEKI: We are inspired by their readiness to sacrifice. We will, all of us, recall the statement that Nelson Mandela read from the dock during the Rivonia trial when he made an important statement that he and his colleagues stood for ideals. For which ideals, if it was necessary, they were ready to sacrifice their lives.
MALE SPEAKER: According to former President Mbeki, Nelson Mandela and his peers represent the end of an era of leaders whose moral compass has set a high benchmark.
THABO MBEKI: Rather than mourn the departure of Nelson Mandela, we should celebrate his life. It is correct. We should celebrate his life, but I don't think we should end there. Indeed, we should celebrate his life but we must also ask ourselves a question. 'What about the future?' It surely can't be enough that we merely celebrate the past, because to celebrate his life is to celebrate the past. It is necessary that we ask ourselves the question: What did he stand for? What legacy did he leave behind?