More than 90 world leaders descended on South African to pay respects to Nelson Mandela at a memorial service held at the Soccer City Stadium on Tuesday.
The 94 000 seater stadium was full to capacity and South African President Jacob Zuma was booed by his own people.
“He’s living in a R250m ($24m) home, that’s why they are booing him,” said Tsepo, a 25-year-old man who declined to give his surname. He was referring to a scandal involving allegations that public funds were used to upgrade Mr Zuma’s private residence. Mr Zuma denies any wrongdoing. “They think he eats the money of the people to build his house.”
The light rain showers did not deter mourners from attending the memorial.
US President Obama’s Air Force One arrived at Waterkloof air force base near Pretoria on Tuesday following after a 16-hour flight from Washington DC.
The Mandela memorial united enemies, this was seen when Barrack Obama shook hands with Raul Castro, leader of long-time Cold War foe Cuba, before delivering his speech.
Obama had the opportunity to speak due to the close relationship between the US and Mandela.
After Tuesday`s memorial service, Mandela’s body will lie in state for three days at Union Buildings in Pretoria. His coffin will be taken in a cortege through the streets of the capital each morning so that many South Africans cans can catch a final glimpse of Mandela.
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The state funeral will be held on Sunday at Mandela`s rural home village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape province.
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Fellow Nobel Peace laureate, Archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu, used the opportunity for a unifying gesture of his own: delivering part of his message in Afrikaans — the language of the former oppressor.
“God, I ask you to bless our country,” the archbishop emeritus prayed as he closed the ceremony.
“You gave us a wonderful gift in this icon of reconciliation”, referring to the man known as the father of the South African nation.
Tutu urged people to follow the example set by Mandela.
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