At the end of the memorial ceremony a military guard of honour carried Mr Mandela’s coffin, draped in the South African flag, out of the marquee as the audience sang.
State funeral: Mandela’s coffin is carried into the white tent for the service by senior military figures and an Army chaplain
Tribute: A military officer places the framed flag of South Africa on top of Mandela’s coffin at the start of his funeral service this morning
Nelson Mandela spent much of his childhood in the small, Eastern Cape village of Qunu – a place he chose to return to after his release from prison. The ceremony was held in a marquee constructed for the event.
The President of South Africa Jacob Zuma began his address in song and was joined by the audience. He went on to say. “We wish today to express two simple words: thank you. Thank you for being everything that we wanted and needed in a leader during a difficult time in our lives. Whilst the long walk to freedom has ended in the physical sense our own journey continues.”
Mandela’s daughter Makaziwe, centre, sits in front of her father’s coffin during the ceremony
Goodbye to an icon: Nelson Mandela’s coffin is slowly lowered into the ground in the hills close to where he grew up at the small, private burial today in Qunu as military salute and mourners watch the poignant moment
Thank you for sharing all these great photos and videos for those of us who couldn’t watch it.
YVW, CarolMae! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did presenting them.
Yes, I do, at least I share in your enjoyment!
Wonderful!
Listen to the interview Nelson Mandela had with Ted Koppel. At one point, Ted Koppel went silent. Madiba brought it.
Nelson Mandela destroys Ted Koppel Part 1
Nelson Mandela destroys Ted Koppel Part 2
‘Nightline’s’ Historic Nelson Mandela Interview
Dedicated to Nelson Mandela who ended Apartheid peacefully in South Africa and freed a whole nation.
May Madiba rest in peace and may God bless his soul in His loving embrace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TWSQLlZXEkE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=1J0qERo-kSw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=qKP7AUpfmU0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=K2Bnd6_QBs8
Timestamp 1:25
Thanks for this. I LOVE IT!
You are very welcome, Ametia!
This photo gallery is EXQUISITE, SG2. Thank you! My favorite photo is of the sisters in black,arm-in-arm. Graca & Winnie in particular, very moving.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/final-farewell-nelson-mandela-article-1.1548343
These photos are magnificent! Thanks so much for your photo presentation, SG2!
Thank you, Yahtc! I added more to gallery. It took me awhile b/c I had to get some sleep. I was worn out.
I bet you are exhausted….you stayed up all night bringing us commentary and pictures of Mahiba’s funeral service!!
Thank you. Thank you!
Nelson Mandela funeral: Former leader is laid to rest following graveside service for family and officials
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nelson-mandela-funeral-former-leader-is-laid-to-rest-following-graveside-service-for-family-and-officials-9005937.html
The former South African leader Nelson Mandela has been buried following a state funeral service at his home village of Qunu.
Earlier the country paid tribute to its former leader with speeches, songs and a traditional Xhosa ceremony.
Around 4,000 guests attended the proceedings, where family and friends spoke of their time with the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who died on 5 December aged 95.
A smaller service for clan members, current and former heads of state, officials and clergymen followed on the hillside above the main marquee, where Mandela’s body was lowered into the ground.
“Yours was truly a long walk to freedom and now you have achieved the ultimate freedom in the bosom of your maker, God almighty,” said Bishop Ziphozihle Siwa in the graveside sermon.
“A great tree has fallen,” said tribal chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima, a representative of Mandela’s family. “He is now going home to rest with his forefathers – we thank them for lending us such an icon.”
Earlier today the former leaders’s casket was carried by gun carriage to a marquee outside his family home. It came to rest, draped in the South African flag, below the lectern where guests delivered their eulogies.
Overlooked by a portrait of Mandela and a backdrop of 95 candles, Ahmed Kathrada, an anti-apartheid activist who was jailed alongside him on Robben Island, remembered his old friend’s “abundant reserves” of love, patience and tolerance.
this gallery is wonderful.
thank you so much.
the fly over with the South African flag was a fitting tribute.
Yes indeed, this was a ROYAL tribute for ROYAL Madiba.