President Barack Obama has expressed interest in traveling to South Africa for the funeral.(REUTERS)
In a tribute to Nelson Mandela, the United Nations has ordered all flags at its various precincts around the world to be flown at half mast following a similar move from President Barack Obama that US flags at federal and military institutions be lowered.
Coverage of the passing of Madiba is the top story as US newspapers, radio stations and television networks offer blanket coverage, as tributes from those in high power to ordinary settings continue to honour the passing of a global hero.
The grey weather in New York is perhaps indicative, as Madiba’s image adorns the front covers of the newspapers. The main flag outside UN Headquarters was lowered after tributes began late Thursday from the Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.
“Nelson Mandela was a giant for justice and a down to earth human inspiration. Many around the world were greatly influenced by his selfless struggle for human dignity, equality and freedom. He touched our lives in deeply personal ways. At the same time, no one did more in our time to advance the values and aspirations of the United Nations.”
President Obama, who last night said he was one of the millions who drew inspiration from Madiba’s life, has expressed interest in traveling to South Africa for the funeral.
The SA Embassy in Washington is also planning a high profile memorial next week. Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool says: “The big thing that we are negotiating at this moment with the National Cathedral in Washington is in fact for a memorial service to be held in Washington DC, an official one on Wednesday the 11th and we hoping that will be in the morning and the National Cathedral is the traditional place from which US Presidents are buried in Washington DC.”
Ambassador Rasool shares a sense of the level of interest being shown from Americans who want to participate.
So many Americans were touched by Madiba’s life story, including the lady standing next to him in the now iconic picture as he cast his historic vote in 1994.
“We certainly would want representation at the highest level of the US government. Already Congress has showed an interest, particularly the Congressional Black Caucus and that I think is a no brainer. We should have someone there from Congress and the Senate, the anti-apartheid movement, the free SA movement, the trade union movement are the kind of people who would put up a speaker. Enormous interest from the art world, people like Danny Glover, and so forth are showing an interest. We are enquiring from people like Stevie Wonder where they will be so and so forth and so I think we are actually putting together a programme that can’t accommodate all the interest that has been expressed.”
Civil Rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton tweeted a picture of himself with Madiba. He recently shared memories about a man he so revered.
“There’s no-one comparable, the times I’ve been in his presence you just know from the regal presence that you’re in the presence of history. You’re in the presence of a man that will be in the top 5 of history. I was an election observer in 1994 and to watch people who have passbooks in their pocket, that were not considered human in their own land, go from that to electing a man and him having the strength to bear the burden, the imprisonment, the solitude, 27 years of incarceration and to walk out with the dignity that he did is unparalleled in out times. And I think it’s a story of not only history but it’s a story of endurance, perseverance, discipline, all the things that everyone around the world should know, if there is a man of all times, it’s Nelson Mandela.”
So many Americans were touched by Madiba’s life story, including the lady standing next to him in the now iconic picture as he cast his historic vote in 1994. Lawyer and advocate for Justice Gay McDougall expressed her sympathy.
“Deeply saddened from a personal point of view and from the point of view of what the world has lost but I also feel that you know certain amount of real joy in what his life has meant for all of us, his life has been a true gift to the world.”
Tributes shine brightly outside the Apollo theatre in Harlem, while lanterns were sent skyward in Brooklyn last night, outside the restaurant in his name. Vigils are planned across the country later tonight and in the days ahead.
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