Soweto - Since the passing of former President Nelson Mandela on Thursday, Vilakazi Street, in Soweto, has been visited by thousands people from all walks of life, to pay homage to the world icon.
While the giant’s passing is being observed with the due reverence befitting of a man of his stature, the occasion is also a time to celebrate the life of one of Africa’s greatest sons.
The atmosphere at Vilakazi Street, where Mandela and his first wife Evelyn Ntoko Mase once lived, is alive with the sound of people singing struggle songs, which thank Madiba for his contribution to the struggle to lead South Africa to freedom.
Nokwazi Hlubi-Samaroo, a Melvin resident, came with her family, to pay tribute to Mandela.
Hlubi-Samaroo, whose husband Joel is a South American national, said she wouldn’t have her family today if was not for Mandela’s sacrifices.
“To me, my family represents what Madiba stood and fought for - a rainbow nation. It is a bittersweet moment for us as a family. Bitter because he is no more but sweet because his teachings of reconciliation, peace, love and unity will live on forever,” Hlubi-Samaroo told SAnews.
Sydney Nare, who travelled from Zimbabwe after hearing about Madiba’s passing, said he did not come to mourn, but rather to celebrate, commemorate and honour Mandela for all that he has done.
“Mandela sacrificed a lot, not only for his country but mankind. It is through his life that today the world knows humanity and reconciliation.”
Ndimphiwe Mahomba from Dobsonville in Soweto said he and his friends have been at Vilakazi Street since Friday.
“We are here to pay our respects to the father of the nation. He changed the whole of South Africa, he was a powerful man,” said Mahomba, who will vote for the first time next year.
Ten-year-old Themba Mncunu from Lenasia South said he was pleased with his parents, who had taken him to see Mandela’s old house.
“I also wanted to see his house and be part of history,” he said.
Asked what he knew about Mandela, the shy boy said: “I know he fought for freedom for us to go to schools and against apartheid.”
Many more people, including tourists, are making their way to the house to take pictures.
On Saturday, families strolled through the cordoned-off street, many of them telling their young children about the Nobel laureate's life and its significance to South Africa today.
Piles of flowers, cards and drawings of Madiba adorned the entrance of the house.
Members of the public, most of whom said they were simply there to pay their respects, contributed to a large poster bearing messages of goodwill to the Mandela family and expressions of sadness over his passing.
Business has also boomed for vendors who are selling food, sweets, ice cream, drinks, art and memorabilia bearing Mandela’s face.
Displaying ice-lollies from a cooler box on his bicycle, adorned with a picture of Mandela, vendor Eliot van Wyk says business is good.
“People have been here for a while now and are thirsty and it’s hot… so why not bring the goods to them while they commemorate our father? After all, Mandela was about people like me - the poor.”
There are also scores of international media houses that have booked spots at neighbouring houses as well as a high presence of metro police. - SAnews.gov.za
