South Africans hold prayers as world mourns fallen icon

By MACHUA KOINANGE  in Johannesburg

South Africa: Churches throughout South Africa held special prayers for fallen icon Nelson Mandela yesterday as preparations for his funeral next Sunday got under way. In Kenya, faithful from from across the country thronged their respective churches and held special prayers.

Religious leaders used the occasion to remind Kenyans to uphold the values held by the late South African icon, particularly forgiveness.

Similar prayers were held around the world by people of different faiths.

The South African government had declared yesterday a national day of prayer to be marked at places of worship, at home or in community gatherings.

The government also released a detailed programme of Mandela’s that will lead to the final resting place in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape where he grew up.

An official memorial service will be held at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday. A crowd of 80,000 people is expected to attend.

The crowd will include members of the public, heads of state and government and VIPs.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, US President Barack Obama and UK Prime Minister David Cameron are among the expected dignitaries. Several roads around the venue will be closed for the ceremony.

The focus of attention during the prayers yesterday was the Regina Mundi Catholic Church where hundreds gathered for prayers.

The mood during the service was sombre, sprinkled with plenty of singing.

The church, whose name in Latin means “Queen the of world”, is the largest Roman Catholic Church in South Africa.

It is located in Soweto and has special resonance with the anti-apartheid movement.

It was here that the activist sought refuge as he were being hunted down by the regime. It was also here that church services and funerals turned into political meetings.

Apartheid government

Because political gatherings in public places were banned by the apartheid government, the church became the central meeting place where Soweto people could congregate.

The church built a reputation as one of the main centres of anti-apartheid activism and by extension became known as “the people’s church.”

During the Soweto uprising of June 16, 1976, when police opened fire on students, many of the terrified demonstrators fled and sought refuge in the church.

Joy Chauke came to church adorned in full traditional regalia that included a cover made from animal skin and had her face painted. It was her way of mourning and celebrating Mandela.

“Mandela has laid the foundation, he is now in heaven. Mandela stood for peace, socialising, uniting. Mandela was everything. He had a unique way of uniting people, even through sports,” she told The Standard outside the church.

She said, like many in the congregation, she was celebrating and mourning Mandela at the same time.

“You cannot find Nelson Mandela anywhere else so the world attention that South Africa is receiving is good. Mandela is looking down from heaven and is saying; Yes!” she exclaimed.

The local papers still carried pictures of Mandela on their front pages as the nation entered its fourth day since his passing on Thursday night.

The narrative of a grieving nation is illustrated on television and radio as well where local stations are running special programmes on the late anti-apartheid crusader.

Mandela’s body will lie in state in Pretoria — the country’s capital and where parliament sits. It will be transferred every day between the Military Hospital and the Union Buildings in a cortege.

The government has urged mourners to line the route and form a special public guard of honour for the fallen giant.

“I think it was time for him to be free, to finally rest because of the work he has done for this country,” Caroline Kihato, a visiting lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand told The Standard.

“His legacy is secure, his life is a celebration. He was a unique man because as much as he was held high, he had his own failings and he spoke about them. He was human after all,” she said.

Kihato who moved from Kenya to South Africa 20 years ago now calls the country home.

“I think there is a better future for this country moving forward. Mandela has laid the foundation,” she said.