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JOHANNESBURG — Bells will be rung and vuvuzelas blown to mark the one year anniversary of former president Nelson Mandela’s death, during an official government commemoration at Freedom Park, in Pretoria, on Friday.
Mandela died at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on 5 December last year.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would officiate at the interfaith memorial, the presidency said yesterday.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation said Ramaphosa would lead an international “call to action” at exactly 09:56 and 53 seconds, with the sounding of bells, sirens, instruments, vuvuzelas and loudhailers.
This would be followed by a three-minute silence from 10:00AM in tribute to Mandela. The national anthem would then be sung.
“The time lapse from the ringing of the bells to the end of the moment of silence is six minutes, seven seconds and is symbolic of the 67 years Madiba spent in the service of humanity,” the foundation said.
A wreath-laying, led by veterans including Mandela’s long-time friend Ahmed Kathrada, would take place at the Union Buildings.
The gun carriage in which Mandela’s coffin was carried would be on display at the SA National Defence Force’s military tribute.
The presidency said a number of events would be held this week to commemorate the one year anniversary.
Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor would officiate at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Condolence Books Exhibition at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in Johannesburg on Thursday.
“By July this year, a total of 4,850 condolence books and more than 3,000 condolence cards had been brought to South Africa from our embassies all over the world, demonstrating what Madiba meant to the people of the world,” the presidency said.
“The presidency also received more than 100 condolence books from around the country.” — News24.
Online Reporter