News / National
Tsvangirai in SA to attend Mandela's burial
14 Dec 2013 at 07:07hrs | Views
MDC-T spokeperson Douglas Mwonzora revealed that Morgan Tsvangirai is in South Africa to attend the burial of the Late Nelson Mandela in Qunu on Sunday.
"The MDC is represented at the highest level because it identifies with the values of freedom, justice and equality so well espoused by the late Mandela.
"For President Tsvangirai Mandela was a paragon of virtue, epitome of justice truth and honour. He was a symbol of resistance to all forms of oppression and other social and political evils.
"The MDC refuses, as did Mandela that there is a separate democracy for Africa, for there is nothing African about dictatorship and oppression.
"The MDC will make sure that all forms of dictatorship and oppression are removed in Zimbabwe. Victory is certain," said Douglas Mwonzora on his facebook profile.
Its not yet clear whether Tsvangirai was invited or he is going just like anyone who wants to go to Qunu. It is also not clear whether Tsvangirai will attend the burial or not as many South Africans will not be able to see Nelson Mandela's remains being laid to rest, with his actual burial a strictly private, family affair according to a government spokeswoman.
At least 5 000 people, including foreign dignitaries and senior political figures, are expected to attend Sunday's funeral ceremony in Mandela's boyhood home Qunu.
Once the initial public service has been completed, however, the moment of interment will, at the family's request, be a purely private affair, spokeswoman Phumla Williams said.
"The family has indicated they want to make the burial a family matter," Williams said.
"They don't want it to be televised. They dont want people to see when the body is taken down."
After three days of lying in state in the capital Pretoria, Mandela's casket will be flown to Qunu early today.
A special stage and marquee have been erected for the two-hour public funeral service which begins at 8:00 am (tomorrow.)
"The MDC is represented at the highest level because it identifies with the values of freedom, justice and equality so well espoused by the late Mandela.
"For President Tsvangirai Mandela was a paragon of virtue, epitome of justice truth and honour. He was a symbol of resistance to all forms of oppression and other social and political evils.
"The MDC refuses, as did Mandela that there is a separate democracy for Africa, for there is nothing African about dictatorship and oppression.
"The MDC will make sure that all forms of dictatorship and oppression are removed in Zimbabwe. Victory is certain," said Douglas Mwonzora on his facebook profile.
Its not yet clear whether Tsvangirai was invited or he is going just like anyone who wants to go to Qunu. It is also not clear whether Tsvangirai will attend the burial or not as many South Africans will not be able to see Nelson Mandela's remains being laid to rest, with his actual burial a strictly private, family affair according to a government spokeswoman.
Once the initial public service has been completed, however, the moment of interment will, at the family's request, be a purely private affair, spokeswoman Phumla Williams said.
"The family has indicated they want to make the burial a family matter," Williams said.
"They don't want it to be televised. They dont want people to see when the body is taken down."
After three days of lying in state in the capital Pretoria, Mandela's casket will be flown to Qunu early today.
A special stage and marquee have been erected for the two-hour public funeral service which begins at 8:00 am (tomorrow.)
Source - online
