Georgetown (Guyana) - The chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Conference of Heads of Government, Kamla Persad-Bissessar (Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago), will represent the community at the official state memorial service for Madiba on Tuesday.
The Heads of Government of The Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica and Suriname will also be in attendance at that memorial, while Grenada will be represented by its deputy prime minister.
The President of Haiti will travel to South Africa for the State Funeral to be held on December 15.
CARICOM, through messages from its chair, other Heads of Government of the Community and through the secretary-general, joined the rest of the world in mourning the death and honouring the life of former SA President Nelson Mandela.
They extended their deepest condolences to Mandela’s widow Graca Machel and the entire Mandela family, as well as to the government and people of South Africa.
“Mr Mandela displayed qualities which defined the zenith of human behaviour. Forgiveness, humility, integrity and undying love for his fellow human beings, particularly for his country and its people were his hallmark.
“He led a life that which may make emulation almost impossible. His struggles, redemption and victory took us to the zenith of human possibility and left a legacy of inestimable value to the world,” said Persad-Bissessar.
The Caribbean Community was privileged to have Mandela grace its 25th anniversary celebrations in Saint Lucia in 1998, where he met with Heads of Government. His buoyant spirit and ebullient sense of humour endeared him to all, exemplified as he rose from his seat and danced to the music at the concert to mark the occasion.
The simplicity with which he conducted his life shone through in the manner in which he interacted with all who came into contact with him. His example of sacrifice for principle and ideals in defiance of unspeakable atrocities meted out to his people and denial of his own liberty has inspired millions around the world.
The former head of the African National Congress and global icon's stature was defined by his policy of reconciliation without recrimination and bitterness. – SAnews.gov.za-NNN-CaribbeanNews
