Johannesburg – Members of the public continue to flock to the home of the late former President Nelson Mandela in Houghton, Johannesburg.
Thousands of flowers and messages of support for the family line the wall outside Madiba’s house.
Mandela passed away on Thursday night at his Houghton home. President Jacob Zuma informed the nation and the world of the former President’s passing in a televised address.
One of the people who came to show their support was Rosheen Mbaimbai, who travelled all the way from Limpopo with her two daughters.
“We are here to pay our respects. I brought my daughters so that they too can pay their respects. We have lost a great man,” she said.
Mbaimbai called on all South Africans to continue spreading messages of peace and love as Madiba did. “We all need to unite and love each other.”
Marcelle Franck from nearby Sandton told SAnews that she was deeply saddened by the death of Mandela.
Franck, accompanied by her son and three grandchildren, said she will never forget the good work that Mandela did for the country. “He was a great man. He uplifted this country.”
Franck was proud to say that she once meet Madiba at a book store in Sandton. “I was so excited to speak to him.”
President Jacob Zuma yesterday announced that the former President will be laid to rest in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, next Sunday.
Tomorrow, a day of prayer and reflection will be held for Madiba. Madiba’s remains are at the 1 Military Hospital in Thaba Tshwane. South Africans and selected international visitors and guests will be able to view President Mandela’s remains at the Union Buildings for three days from Wednesday, 11 December.
The remains will be flown to the Eastern Cape a day before the burial. - SAnews.gov.za
