The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
World gathers to honour Mandela
BARACK OBAMA led tributes to Nelson Mandela, urging the world to build on his legacy and tackle poverty and inequality.
The US president spoke of the “heroic” life of the South African anti-apartheid leader, describing him as the “last great liberator of the 20th Century” as he addressed thousands gathered for the memorial service to Mr Mandela in the rain-soaked FNB Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday.
Mr Obama compared Mr Mandela’s actions to those of Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln and US civil rights leader Martin Luther King, and singled out world leaders who have publicly welcomed gains made by Mr Mandela but resist reforms to tackle inequality and injustice.
“Around the world today we still see children suffering from hunger and disease and we still see run-down schools and we see young people without prospects for the future,” he told the two-thirds full stadium.
“Around the world today men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs and are still persecuted for what they look like and how they worship and who they are, that is happening today.
“There are too many people who happily embrace Madiba’s (Mandela’s) legacy of racial reconciliation but passionately resist even modest reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality.
“There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba’s struggle for freedom but do not tolerate dissent from their own people.
“There are too many of us on the sidelines comfortable in complacency or cynicism.”
Mr Obama warned against viewing Mr Mandela as “detached” from normal life.
“It was precisely because he could admit to imperfection, because he was so full of good humour, even mischief despite the heavy burdens that he carried, that we loved him so,” he said.
“He was not a bust made of marble, he was a man of flesh and blood, a son and a husband, a father and a friend, that is why we have learned so much from him and that is why we can learn from him still.
“Nothing he achieved was inevitable, in the arc of his life, we see a man who earned his place in history through struggle and shrewdness and persistence and faith.”
The service also heard from Andrew Mlangeni, a former prisoner on Robben Island with Mr Mandela, who spoke of the “outpouring of love” after his death. “Madiba is looking down on us,” he said. “There is no doubt he is smiling and he watches his beloved country, men and women, unite to celebrate his life and legacy.”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the service: “South Africa has lost a hero, we have lost a father and the world has lost a beloved friend and mentor.
“Nelson Mandela was more than one of the greatest leaders of our time, he was one of our greatest teachers.
“He taught by example, he sacrificed so much and was willing to give up everything for freedom, equality and justice. His compassion stands out most.”
South African president Jacob Zuma, who was booed during the service, said: “Today Madiba is no more. He leaves behind a nation that loves him dearly. He leaves a continent that is truly proud to call him an African.”
Mr Mandela’s body will lie in state at South Africa’s seat of government, the Union Buildings in Pretoria, until he is laid to rest in a state funeral at his home town of Qunu in the Eastern Cape on Sunday.
The Prince of Wales will be among a smaller number of dignitaries travelling to the remote rural location for that service.