World leaders honor the father of South Africa
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US President Barack Obama urged the world to embrace Nelson Mandela’s universal message of peace and justice in his speech at a memorial service in a South African stadium lashed by rain.
In a speech that received thunderous applause, Obama urged people to apply the lessons of Mandela, who emerged from 27 years in prison under a racist regime, embraced his enemies when he finally walked to freedom and promoted forgiveness and reconciliation in South Africa.
“We, too, must act on behalf of justice. We, too, must act on behalf of peace,” said Obama.
The US president said that when he was a student, Mandela “woke me up to my responsibilities — to others, and to myself — and set me on an improbable journey that finds me here today.”
Obama pointed out that “around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs; and are still persecuted for what they look like, or how they worship, or who they love.”
In contrast to the wild applause given to Obama, South African President Jacob Zuma was booed. Many South Africans are unhappy with him because of state corruption scandals, though his ruling African National Congress, once led by Mandela, remains the front-runner ahead of elections next year.
Police were expecting a crushing crowd at the stadium and had set up overflow points with big-screen TVs, but foul weather and public transport problems kept many people away. The 95,000-capacity stadium was only two-thirds full.
Some of the dozens of trains reserved to ferry people to the stadium in Soweto, a township which revolted in 1976 against white rule, were delayed due to a power failure.
The mood in the stadium was celebratory and a dazzling mix of royalty, statesmen and celebrities was in attendance.
Nearly 100 heads of state and government attended the service. Thabo Mbeki, the former South African president who succeeded Mandela, got a rousing cheer as he entered the stands.
French President Francois Hollande and his predecessor and rival Nicolas Sarkozy arrived together.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon waved and bowed to spectators who sang praise for Mandela, seen by many South Africans as the father of the nation.
‘Jailed for our freedom’
“I would not have the life I have today if it was not for him,” said Matlhogonolo Mothoagae, a postgraduate marketing student who arrived hours before the stadium gates opened. “He was jailed so we could have our freedom.”
Rohan Laird, the 54-year-old CEO of a health insurance company, said he grew up during white rule in a “privileged position” as a white South African and that Mandela helped whites work through a burden of guilt.
“His reconciliation allowed whites to be released themselves,” Lair said. “I honestly don’t think the world will see another leader like Nelson Mandela.”
Workers were still welding at a VIP area as the first spectators arrived amid an enormous logistical challenge of organizing the memorial for Mandela, who died on December 5 in his Johannesburg home at the age of 95.
Mandela’s widow Graca Machel and former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela were at the stadium, and gave each other a long hug before the ceremonies began.
So were actress Charlize Theron, model Naomi Campbell and singer Bono.
Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the day Mandela and South Africa’s last apartheid-era president, F.W. de Klerk, received the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to bring peace to their country.
De Klerk, a political rival who became friends with Mandela, was also in the stadium.
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