In heart of Madibaland, hundreds gather around Mandela’s Houghton home to sing, not cry (with pics)
Just 0.7% of humanity are South African. But the other 99.3% are with us in spirit as South Africa mourns Nelson Mandela. We live in Houghton, the centre of Madibaland, so popped up the road this afternoon to pay our respects. We joined hundreds more who had the same idea. The mood was a lot different to what you might expect. People were singing, dancing, celebrating the life and final release of the national icon. No tears. No sadness. And, thankfully, not too many hawkers. – AH
From The SA Presidency: December 8 – Day of Prayer and Reflection
President Jacob Zuma will attend a service at the Bryanston Methodist Church to mark the National Day of Prayer and Reflection called to remember former President Nelson Mandela tomorrow, Sunday 8 December 2013.
President Zuma wishes to remind South Africans to mark this day by celebrating the life of former President Mandela, who sadly passed on, on the 5th of December.
Madiba left it to the South African people to celebrate his life and legacy.
He said once when asked how he wished to be remembered:
"It would be very egotistical of me to say how I would like to be remembered. I'd leave that entirely to South Africans. I would just like a simple stone on which is written, 'Mandela'."
President Zuma reiterated the call to all to go to stadiums, halls, churches, temples or synagogues tomorrow, 8 December, to celebrate the life of Madiba and through him, that of all other South Africans who sacrificed so much so that we could be free from apartheid colonialism, all of us, black and white.
"We should, while mourning, also sing at the top of our voices, dance and do whatever we want to do, to celebrate the life of this outstanding revolutionary who kept the spirit of freedom alive and led us to a
new society. As South Africans we sing when we are happy and we also sing when we are sad to make ourselves feel better. Let us celebrate Madiba in this way, which we know best. Let us sing for Madiba," said President Zuma.