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Madiba is going home
NCEBA DLADLA
W
HILE the Eastern Cape is getting ready for the arrival of the remains of former president Nelson Mandela in Qunu on Saturday and a state funeral as never seen before in this country on Sunday, thousands of local mourners will get the opportunity to bid the SA icon farewell at a memorial service in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday from 9am. According to municipal spokesperson Mthubanzi Mniki, the Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet and members of the legislature will be attending the memorial service. African National Congress Secretary General Gwede Mantashe will be delivering the keynote address. Mniki said the clergy representing IDAMASA and the Council of Churches will be handling the event expected to be attended by the Executive mayor Cllr Benson Fihla, Councillors, leaders from different political parties in the province and traditional leaders. MEC for Social Development and Special Programmes Pemmy Majodina, who is in charge of the event, has urged members of different denominations to wear their church uniforms
during the memorial service. Zahara, who postponed her Phendula Tour which was scheduled to take place at the Boardwalk last Sunday, will get an opportunity to sing the song she performs with the people’s poet, Mzwakhe Mbuli - dedicated to Madiba on Friday. Award-winning EC Gospel sensation Lusanda Mcinga will also take to the stage in honour of Madiba, as well as other local gospel groups. Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet said in a statement over the weekend the performance and conduct of government, as well as the conduct of people of the Eastern Cape during this period will have a significant bearing on public opinion in the country and beyond, and all activities are therefore material to our province’s reputation. “We must honour Madiba with dignity and pride. The official mourning period and the State Funeral is an opportunity for all South Africans and the international community to mourn the loss we all feel – and to celebrate Madiba’s extraordinary life and contribution to all of humanity,” said Kiviet. “Let’s work together to make this period one in which we maintain the dignity and proud reputation of our country. “A great number of international visitors will make their way to our province to be part of me-
morial events and the State Funeral,” she said. Kiviet said that the province’s infrastructure, namely the roads, airports, public transport, stadia, and electricity,is ready. Umtata Airport will be exclusively utilised for landing of Heads of State only, while the two airports in PE and EL will be open to the VIPs and public and VVIPs attending the funeral will be driven by luxury coaches to Qunu to avoid a stampede on the N2. “Eskom has assured us that their electricity network in the area has been maintained since September and contingency plans/backup are in place in case of lapse. “Our economic network in the form of banks, telecommunications, retail shops, and media are ready to absorb the increased volumes this time. “Our hospitality sector is ready in terms of providing accommodation and tourism attraction led by Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency – a number of tourism information centre kiosks have been mounted around the province to make it easier for tourists and mourners to navigate our beautiful province,” she said. “Our Safety and Security cluster, including SAPS police and Traffic Officers, is ready. This Team will be backed up by a team of 3000 marshals,” she said. Since other public mourning activities and
the State funeral would not be accessible to everyone, the government have identified public viewing mourning areas (PVMAs) where the public can view footage of events. Mniki said residents who are unable to go to the memorial service on Friday or the funeral in Qunu on Sunday should not despair as there will be 13 Public Viewing Places available to assist during the events. “We want people to be part of the activities but are also against any stampede. Let our former president be given a farewell that he deserves without any loss of life and problems associated with his departing,” said Mniki. Public Viewing Places: • PE City area and CBD – City hall • Greenbushes Area – Kuyga Community Hall • Seaview Area – Seaview Community Hall • Colchester Area – Colchester Community Hall • Ibhayi Area – Daku and Nangoza Jebe Community Halls * Wells Estate Community Hall • Northern Areas – Booysens Park Hall and George Botha Sports Centre • Uitenhage Area – Town Hall, Allanridge and Babs Madlakane Community Halls • Despatch Area – Despatch Community Hall
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