Johannesburg - As the crowds of mourners begin to swell at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto, operations are smooth and orderly.
Dobsonville, Ellis Park and Orlando stadiums have been identified as overflow areas, where people can gather to watch broadcasts of the National Memorial Service which is being held at FNB Stadium in Nasrec.
At Dobsonville stadium, two digital screens are streaming live activities from the main memorial ceremony.
Members of the South African Police Service and the Johannesburg Metro Police are patrolling in and outside the stadium.
Noncebo Sennelo, who is leading the trauma counselling team from the Gauteng Health Department said: “I am here with my team to ensure if there are people who find it difficult to deal with this heavy blow, we will provide free counselling to them. I am here also to mourn Mandela; South Africa has just lost a hero.”
She said South Africans need to come to terms with the death of former President Nelson Mandela.
Sennelo’s team is comprised of clinical psychologist Jessica Cuming.
Cuming said: “I was still very young when Madiba went through a lot, but I will always remember him as someone who love people and to unite them irrespective of colour.”
Senior resident Andries Hlako, responsible for public safety in Ward 48, Dobsonville said: “I have been in the struggle inland not in exile, so I am here to pay my respect to my comrade. We’ve been working together during the liberation struggle, but not close to him.”
He said for him, Mdiba had not died. “He multiplied…Mandela lives, the revolution goes on,” he said.
The crowds, mainly comprised of women, are chanting Mandela Wethu sizo mlandela.
The formal programme at FNB Stadium is about to get underway, as most dignitaries have taken up their seats on the stage. - SAnews.gov.za
