Mandela’s journey ends in Qunu
Former President Nelson Mandela was laid to rest in Qunu, Eastern Cape where he grew up as a child.
QUNU – Mandela, who passed away on Thursday evening December 5 was buried at his ancestral village in the Eastern Cape where guests from all over the world paid tribute to the man they all looked up to.
While for some he was a freedom fighter and president of the African National Congress (ANC), to others he was grandfather. His Granddaughter Nandi Mandela shared memories of her ‘mischievous’ grandfather.
She told guests that Mandela was also a strict man who disciplined her and the other children as they were growing up.
President Jacob Zuma described the occasion as a day which marks the end of an extra-ordinary journey which began 95 years ago.
Zuma said, “It is the end of 95 glorious years of a freedom fighter, a dedicated and humble servant of the people of South Africa, a fountain of wisdom, a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope to all those fighting for a just and equitable world order.”
The president continued to describe the past week as a long painful week. “Over the past 9 days of mourning, people have expressed their grief in various ways,” Zuma told guests.
The president admired the spectacular display of admiration by the thousands who descended upon the Union Buildings in Pretoria to spend just one moment with Madiba as he lay in state.
While the family condemned the actions of ANC supporters who booed the President at FNB Stadium during the Memorial Service on Tuesday, Zuma stood tall to remind mourners that although Mandela’s had ended, South Africans were continuing their journey.
He said, “We have to continue building the type of society you worked tirelessly to construct. We have to take your legacy forward.”
Many South Africans will remember Madiba in different ways. For South Africa’s sport stars, they will remember him as man who brought them Madiba Magic; while others will remember him as a peacemaker.
Zuma concluded, “You will remain our guiding light, illuminating the path as we continue the long journey to build the South Africa of your dreams.
“We shall not say goodbye, for you are not gone. You will live forever in our hearts and minds.”
