Tata’s grave no-go area for ANC top 6
Rituals must be done beforehand – Mandla
There was drama at Nelson Mandela’s Qunu homestead – where he is buried – when police refused to allow ANC leaders through the gates.
The ANC has been visiting the graves of ANC presidents to lay wreaths, but at Qunu the party was blocked, seemingly by Madiba’s eldest grandson, Mandla Mandela. No wreaths were laid at Mandela’s grave.
Amid tension at the gate, Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu was heard demanding to know why she was not being let in.
Mandla claimed the ANC, including its top six and new president Cyril Ramaphosa, would not be allowed to visit the grave as rituals had still to be conducted.
They were later allowed into the homestead and it seemed that an agreement had been struck for a formal ANC visit to Mandela’s grave on February 11, the date he was released from prison.
Mandla said Madiba’s widow Graça Machel, who was in Mozambique, had told him to open the gates.
The ANC top six, led by Ramaphosa, met in a private room with Mandla, while some NEC members were in another room.
Also with Mandla were AbaThembu elders and close relative Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima.
Ramaphosa, in a later address to the community at a nearby hall, called on people to unite the nation and to fight corruption in the party.
He also visited AbaThembu acting king Azenathi Dalindyebo, at the Bumbane Great Place, to thank him for his support.