MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR NELSON MANDELA
It’s being billed as the biggest funeral service in history.
Today world leaders will congregate in Johannesburg for Nelson Mandela’s memorial.
The anti-apartheid icon – known in his homeland as Madiba – died last Thursday at the age of 95.
More than one hundred world leaders will attend today’s national memorial service in Johannesburg – including three US Presidents and Presidents from Brazil and India, they will be joined by European Prime Ministers and by numerous Kings, Queens and Princes.
Ireland will be represented by President Michael D. Higgins and by the Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore.
Numerous celebrities who knew Nelson Mandela – including Bono and Oprah Winfrey – will also attend the memorial, which is planned to celebrate the Mandela’s life as well as mourn his passing.
Even in death, Nelson Mandela is bringing together old enemies, the US President Barack Obama will share the stage with Raul Castro of Cuba to address the ninety thousand people expected at the event.
The memorial is being held in FNB football stadium, where crews have been working to install security including bullet proof glass to protect world leaders.
Mandela’s body will lie in state on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before being flown Qunu, the village where he grew up – where he will be laid to rest on Sunday.
