Qunu, South Africa: A human chain flanked the N2 from Mtatha to Qunu as mourners from around the area flocked to the streets to pay their respects as Mandela’s casket passed by. Many mourners carried the national flag or held up banners showing images of Mandela. Escorted by hordes of military, police and other vehicles, the casket was being returned to Mandela’s home in Qunu before his burial, amidst cloudy skies rich with the promise of rain (considered a blessing in Xhosa culture).
There was a palpable sense of excitement in the air, tempered with a heavy dose of sadness, as for many mourners, this would be the last time they’d ever see Mandela. Though unlike most sad occasions, the sound of jubilant singing welcomed Mandela home.
“Long live the spirit of Nelson Mandela” chanted the crowd on the highway near Mandela’s family home. “My president”, they sang. “Tata, Madiba”, they shouted, raising their voices to the heavens.
Xhosa mama’s danced freely amongst police stationed on the roadside, Muslims stood alongside Christians and villagers joined journalists in a show of comradeship unlike any I’ve ever seen. One that Mandela would be proud of. After all, it’s that very freedom he sacrificed his entire life for.
However the taint of discontent still managed to cloud the event. The casket, covered in the South African flag, whizzed by so fast that many residents barely had a chance to pay their respects. After already being excluded from the funeral, this was a bit too much for many locals.
But one resident and one of the lucky ones to be invited to the funeral clung to her Nelson Mandela T-shirt. “I’m never going to lose this. This is history. This is a day I will never forget.”
