Prayers for Madiba will heal the country: Zuma

Written By JAK on Monday, December 9, 2013 | 4:39 AM

President Zuma urged South Africans to remember Madiba's values.(GCIS)

Ntebo Mokobo

President Jacob Zuma says a day dedicated for prayer and reflection in remembrance of former President Nelson Mandela will go a long way in healing the country. He was speaking at the main prayer service in the Bryanston Methodist Church, north of Johannesburg, earlier on Sunday.

The service was attended by some members of the Mandela family including his former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Madiba's grandson, Chief Mandla Mandela, as well as African National Congress (ANC) treasurer general, Dr Zweli Mkhize, ANC Gauteng Chairperson Paul Mashatile and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.

Congregants black and white, young and old united in their diversity danced and sang their hearts out in honour the former statesman. The overall message for the day was taken from the Book of 2 Timothy4:7 explaining that Madiba fought the good fight to the end and ran the race to the finish - a challenge that it is now up to those left behind to take up where he left off.

Some members of the Mandela family led by Madikizela-Mandela and Chief Mandla Mandela flanked President Jacob Zuma at the front row. Adorned in a black turban, Madikizela-Mandela stood motionless with her facial expression sombre and unchanging throughout the service.

Mandela's death is an unprecedented loss for the country

President Zuma said Mandela's death was an unprecedented loss for the country urging South Africans to pray to remember Madiba's values.

Some congregants attending the service, others coming from as far as South America, said they were privileged to be part of Madiba's prayer service.

Meanwhile, other prayer services were held across the country with deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe attending a service at Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto; while former President Thabo Mbeki was at a Synagogue in Rosebank, Johannesburg.