News / National
Mugabe leaves for Mandela memorial service
09 Dec 2013 at 11:30hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe has left for Johannesburg, South Africa to attend the memorial service for the first president of an independent South Africa, Nelson Mandela.
President Mugabe, who is accompanied by the First Lady, Grace Mugabe, cabinet ministers and several senior government officials, will join other world leaders at a memorial service to be held at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Mr Mandela, who had been receiving treatment at home for a recurring lung infection since September, died on Thursday at his home.
In his condolence message to South Africans and President Jacob Zuma, President Mugabe described the late Mr Mandela as an icon of African liberation, freedom fighter an unflinching fighter for justice.
Mugabe said Mr Mandela's renowned and illustrious political life will forever remain a beacon of excellence, adding that not only was he a great champion of the emancipation of the oppressed, but was also a humble and compassionate leader who showed selfless dedication to the service of his people.
Affectionately known as Madiba, Mr Mandela was imprisoned for nearly three decades before becoming South Africa's first black president in 1994.
His administration replaced the racist white-minority regime that had enforced the segregation of black and white people in a policy known as apartheid.
More than 50 world leaders are expected to attend the four-hour memorial service.
Mr Mandela will be buried in his home village which is in the eastern part of the country on Sunday.
President Mugabe, who is accompanied by the First Lady, Grace Mugabe, cabinet ministers and several senior government officials, will join other world leaders at a memorial service to be held at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Mr Mandela, who had been receiving treatment at home for a recurring lung infection since September, died on Thursday at his home.
In his condolence message to South Africans and President Jacob Zuma, President Mugabe described the late Mr Mandela as an icon of African liberation, freedom fighter an unflinching fighter for justice.
Mugabe said Mr Mandela's renowned and illustrious political life will forever remain a beacon of excellence, adding that not only was he a great champion of the emancipation of the oppressed, but was also a humble and compassionate leader who showed selfless dedication to the service of his people.
Affectionately known as Madiba, Mr Mandela was imprisoned for nearly three decades before becoming South Africa's first black president in 1994.
His administration replaced the racist white-minority regime that had enforced the segregation of black and white people in a policy known as apartheid.
More than 50 world leaders are expected to attend the four-hour memorial service.
Mr Mandela will be buried in his home village which is in the eastern part of the country on Sunday.
Source - zbc
