Cape Town – South Africans and visitors today continued to flock to the city’s Grand Parade – where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech after his release from prison, on February 11, 1990.
Colourful wreaths, letters and placards containing words of condolences mobbed a fence set up in front of the City Hall from where the famous icon gave his speech.
Read a message from one child: “Dear Mandela, We love you. You are our father. We will remember you as an icon. Thank you for (giving us) hope.”
Another one from an Angolan living in the city read: “Tata is gone but we will never forget about you, a giant of the liberation… epitome of reconciliation.”
In front of the city hall, the city has opened books of condolence and has set up a number of computer terminals with which city residents and visitors can use to access a wall of condolence on a city website.
“Thank you for the legacy that you have left. We will live on with your message of peace and forgiveness,” wrote one young person, Tatum Hendricks, in one of the books of condolence.
Those that SAnews spoke to at the Grand Parade were still emotional about the former president’s passing.
Daniel Stemmet, from Hermanus, said Madiba had changed his life.
“I’m a gay person and because of him I was allowed to get married and I was allowed to adopt a child, so he’s changed my life completely.
“I’ve run a very successful business and that is all because of what he brought to this country – through tourism and everything – and the reason I’m here today is that I wanted to be with my people and not just sit at home,” said Stemmet.
Capetonian Gwen Godlo said she was still trying to come to terms with Madiba’s death: “I felt so sad, because he was everything to us, an inspiration”.
Desmond Fillis, who is visiting from Port Elizabeth, said Mandela had done a lot for South Africa and for humanity.
“He’s changed South Africa for all of us, it doesn’t matter what your colour is. He did it with so much sacrifice to him and his family, so there’s no way that people – especially South Africans – cannot honour this man and his lifetime,” he said.
Masixole Velem, from King Williams Town who is studying in Cape Town, said he also still felt sad about Madiba’s passing.
“I’m actually here to afford him the chance to rest in peace. He’s done a lot for South Africa in contributing to South Africa, all colours, the rainbow nation, together for a common purpose,” said Velem.
Mayor Patricia de Lille this morning announced a series of events to take place next week to honour Madiba. These include a commemorative event at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday at 4pm to be hosted by the city.
In order to maintain order and safety, the city will have a coupon system in place to regulate entry to the stadium.
“A maximum of five coupons are available per person, free of charge, on presentation of a valid identity document or passport. These coupons can be collected via Computicket or at any Shoprite outlet across Cape Town,” she said.
The coupon will allow free access to public transport in the form of the MyCiTi bus service, Golden Arrow Bus Services, and Metrorail into and out of the city.
Tomorrow the city will host a special council meeting to allow the councillors to pay tribute to Madiba, while an inter-faith service on the Grand Parade will take place from 5pm.
Added to this a number of other events will take place next week:
- A remembrance evening will be held at OR Tambo Hall in Khayelitsha on Monday at 7pm.
- The city will screen the national memorial service on the Grand Parade on Tuesday.
- A remembrance evening will be held at Wesfleur in Atlantis on Thursday at 7pm.
- A night vigil will take place next Saturday from 5pm, on the eve of Madiba’s funeral, on the Grand Parade.
- The national funeral will be screened next Sunday on the Grand Parade.
Throughout the mourning period, members of the public may leave flowers and write messages in books of remembrance, available at the Civic Centre and on Grand Parade. – SAnews.gov.za
