Nelson Mandela Was Born in 18 July 1918. he was a politician, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was South Africa’s first black chief executive, and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. Politically an African nationalist and democratic socialist, he served as President of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1991 to 1997.
A mile stone for former South Africa president king Nelson Mandela is to be laid in Westminster Abbey.Prince Harry will join almost 2,000 people who are due to gather at the abbey for a memorial service to the late leader’s life and work today.
South Africa — His flag-draped casket resting on a carpet of animal skins, Nelson Mandela was laid to rest Sunday in the green, rolling hills of the eastern hamlet where he began his extraordinary journey — one that led him from prison to the presidency, a global symbol of endurance and reconciliation in the fight against South Africa’s racist rule.
Artillery boomed and military aircraft roared through a cloud-studded sky, as the simple and the celebrated gathered to pay their final respects in Mandela’s native village of Qunu at a state funeral that blended ancient tribal rituals with a display of the might of the new, integrated South Africa.
Prime Minister David Cameron, deputy president of the Republic of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe, and Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, the Most Reverend Desmond Tutu will all be among the congregation.Westminster Abbey is one of the world’s greatest churches, a designated World Heritage Site. The coronation of Kings and Queens has taken place here since 1066, and many of the nation’s Kings and Queens are buried in the Abbey. Principal among them is St Edward the Confessor, King of England from 1042 to 1066, whose shrine is at the heart of the Abbey. Also buried or memorialised here are over 3,000 great men and women from almost every century of these islands’ history.
Nearly 2000 thousand people gathered in the Abbey for a service to celebrate the life and work of Nelson Mandela. “I realized that the old man is no more, no more with us,” said Bayanda Nyengule, head of a local museum about Mandela, his voice cracking as he described the burial attended by several hundred mourners after a larger funeral ceremony during which some 4,500 people, including heads of state, royalty and celebrities, paid their last respects.
The burial ended a 10-day mourning period that began with Mandela’s death on Dec. 5 at 95, and included a Johannesburg memorial attended by nearly 100 world leaders and three days during which tens of thousands of South Africans of all races and backgrounds filed past Mandela’s casket in the capital, Pretoria.
Prince Harry represented the Queen at the service which was also attended by Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe and Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, Reverend Desmond Tutu.
In an announcement timed to coincide with the Abbey service, the Dean of Westminster Dr John Hall, said that later this year a ledger stone would be dedicated to the memory of the former South African president.
Dr Hall said: “Nelson Mandela was one of the most remarkable world leaders of the last century. His remarkable constancy under suffering stand as an example to everyone. In addition, his capacity for forgiveness and his generosity of spirit show what humanity at its best can achieve.
The peaceful transition to universal democracy in South Africa and the work of reconciliation between divided communities that followed were overwhelmingly the work of this one man”.
Nelson Mandela died on Dec-5th 2013, with an aged of 95.