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| Tributes paid to Nelson Mandela at rain-soaked memorial service | Tributes paid to Nelson Mandela at rain-soaked memorial service |
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| Tens of thousands of South Africans and dozens of world leaders gathered in Johannesburg to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, taking a downpour of rain as a fitting farewell to the anti-apartheid hero. | |
| "This is how Nelson Mandela would have wanted to be sent on," said Cyril Ramaphosa, the deputy ANC leader who chaired the proceedings. "These are blessings. In our African tradition [when it rains] it means the gods are welcoming you and the gates of heaven are open." | "This is how Nelson Mandela would have wanted to be sent on," said Cyril Ramaphosa, the deputy ANC leader who chaired the proceedings. "These are blessings. In our African tradition [when it rains] it means the gods are welcoming you and the gates of heaven are open." |
| Dignitaries from more than 100 countries – including four US presidents, four British prime ministers, two French presidents, the Chinese vice-president and the Cuban and Brazilian leaders – as well as celebrities including the U2 singer Bono and the actor Charlize Theron attended the service at the FNB stadium. | |
| The rains failed to dampen the spirits of the crowd who sang their praises of the man they call the father of the nation. "Oliver Tambo speak to Botha … tell him to release Mandela," they sang. (The line is from an apartheid-era song urging leading ANC figure Oliver Tambo to persuade President PW Botha to end Mandela's incarceration.) | |
| Among the crowd, a scarlet-robed Desmond Tutu stood out as he watched the proceedings with a sombre expression. Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela barely held back tears as she walked slowly into the stadium supported by her eldest daughter, Zindzi. She embraced Graça Machel, Mandela's widow, before taking a seat. | |
| Outside the stadium the rain snarled traffic, delaying the opening as officials waited anxiously for other dignitaries to arrive. Barack Obama arrived almost an hour late accompanied by his wife, Michelle, the former US president George W Bush and his wife, Laura. | |
| After shaking hands with the Cuban leader, Raúl Castro, Obama made a rousing speech that was both personal and political. "It is a singular honour to be with you today, to celebrate a life unlike any other. To the people of South Africa – people of every race and walk of life – the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us," said Obama, who compared Mandela to Abraham Lincoln. | |
| "It was precisely because he could admit to imperfection – because he could be so full of good humour, even mischief, despite the heavy burdens he carried – that we loved him so," he added, prompting applause. | "It was precisely because he could admit to imperfection – because he could be so full of good humour, even mischief, despite the heavy burdens he carried – that we loved him so," he added, prompting applause. |
| The arrivals of Liberia's president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, wearing a yellow rose and customary dark sunglasses, brought cheers from the crowd. In contrast, South Africa's president, Jacob Zuma, was booed loudly each time the cameras panned to him, prompting an announcer at one point to ask the crowd to "please have discipline". Zuma has been under fire this year, facing wildcat strikes by miners and most recently a corruption investigation. | The arrivals of Liberia's president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, wearing a yellow rose and customary dark sunglasses, brought cheers from the crowd. In contrast, South Africa's president, Jacob Zuma, was booed loudly each time the cameras panned to him, prompting an announcer at one point to ask the crowd to "please have discipline". Zuma has been under fire this year, facing wildcat strikes by miners and most recently a corruption investigation. |
| Although Mandela was a lifelong party loyalist who joked that he would sign up at the nearest ANC branch in heaven, a much-quoted remark in 1993 made it clear that he did not believe the party was above criticism. "If the ANC does to you what the apartheid government did to you, then you must do to the ANC what you did to the apartheid government," he said. | Although Mandela was a lifelong party loyalist who joked that he would sign up at the nearest ANC branch in heaven, a much-quoted remark in 1993 made it clear that he did not believe the party was above criticism. "If the ANC does to you what the apartheid government did to you, then you must do to the ANC what you did to the apartheid government," he said. |
| But the booing was criticised on Twitter. "People shouldn't have booed Zuma at Mandela's memorial. But it's crazy that their anger supersedes their pain," tweeted Trevor Noah, a popular South African comedian. Another tweeter said: "#Zuma has rendered himself worthy of abuse. What better occasion than memorial service of man whose ideals he destroyed? #fair." | But the booing was criticised on Twitter. "People shouldn't have booed Zuma at Mandela's memorial. But it's crazy that their anger supersedes their pain," tweeted Trevor Noah, a popular South African comedian. Another tweeter said: "#Zuma has rendered himself worthy of abuse. What better occasion than memorial service of man whose ideals he destroyed? #fair." |
| Andrew Mlangeni, a lifelong friend of Mandela and fellow inmate at Robben Island, was among those who gave personal tributes during the service. "He touched my heart, my soul, my life, and those of millions," he said. Four children and grandchildren took to the podium to read their own poems. | Andrew Mlangeni, a lifelong friend of Mandela and fellow inmate at Robben Island, was among those who gave personal tributes during the service. "He touched my heart, my soul, my life, and those of millions," he said. Four children and grandchildren took to the podium to read their own poems. |
| Some of the most emotional tributes came from the crowds. Queueing to enter the stadium, Matlhogonolo Mothoagae, 24, a marketing student, told the Associated Press: "I would not have the life I have today if it was not for him. I'm here to show my gratitude to Madiba [Mandela's clan name]. He was jailed so we could have our freedom." | |
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