Qunu: Emotions ran high as Nelson Mandela’s official funeral took place in his hometown of Qunu on Sunday. The funeral began with a 21-gun salute thundering across the fields of Qunu, sending puffs of smoke billowing into the air. Temporary tents were set up on the hills overlooking Madiba’s last step on his final journey. The coffin was transported towards the marquee by gun carriage, along with a procession led by military bands, a ceremony that embodies the highest honour that can be accorded to a person.
At the people’s tent in Qunu, people watched the screens with rapt attention. As the national anthem’s first verse began to play “Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika” (God Bless Africa), everyone rose to their feet to sing along. It was an eloquent start to the final ceremony honouring Mandela’s life.
With the coffin placed on a pile of animal skins in a traditional gesture, African National Congress (ANC) Deputy-President Cyril Ramaphosa explained that 95 candles honour each year of Mandela’s life and a person of Mandela’s stature is laid to rest at midday, when the sun is at its highest.
Various speakers reached the stage to say their eulogies including President Jacob Zuma, who sang an old struggle song ahead of his address:
“We, the black nation, are crying for our land which was taken by the white people. They should leave our land alone,” he sang.
“The children are crying for the nation which was taken by the white people,” he sang in Zulu.
Mourners stood on their feet, and sang along with him.
It’s ironic, given that Zuma has been accused of corruption, and indeed his home in Nkandla cost billions in taxpayer money — a sharp contrast to the simple home of Mandela.
Member of Parliament Deirdre Carter remembers visiting Mandela’s home for tea with several other colleagues.
“Madiba cared about simple things”, she recalls. “Are we still on Mandela’s dream track?” she questioned, shortly after Zuma’s address.
Dressed in a traditional men’s Zulu outfit, Deirdre biked up from Pietermaritzburg with her husband, attending the parliamentary sitting in Cape Town on Monday, riding up to the FNB Stadium on Tuesday, paying her respects at the Union Building on Wednesday and finally arriving in Qunu on Friday where she’s been since.
“I have been accredited to attend the funeral”, she said. “But I’d rather be here, with the people. I want to share in their emotions. Mandela never saw himself as a VIP”, she continued.
“My belief is that there is no such thing. That’s why we did this on the bikes, because we want to share in what’s around us. It’s the people who are the VIPs”. In the background, we hear: “Rather than pointing fingers, we must hold hands”, which expresses Mandela’s philosophy in a nutshell, while Deirdre embraced Tumelo Zwane.
“As a young black man”, he said, “what Mandela has done for us is made it possible to stand here with you guys, it is beautiful. If (Barack) Obama can shake hands with (Raul) Castro because of Mandela, there is hope”.
It’s a roller coaster of emotions as moving obituaries take the crowd from laughter to tears.
Former friend and Robben Island prisoner Ahmad Kathrada remembered the icons of the struggle, his voice breaking as he reminisced about holding his dear friend’s hand the last time he saw him in the hospital. Malawi’s President Joyce Banda praised Mandela’s widow Graca Machel and ex-wife Winnie-Madikizela Mandela for their love and tolerance: “I’m forever grateful for what you have taught us as African women”.
Among the guests were ANC members, veterans of the fight against apartheid and foreign dignitaries including several African presidents, as well as Oprah Winfrey, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, long-term critic of Zuma and infighting within the Madiba clan (who received a last-minute invite after a press furore when it was heard that he wouldn’t be in attendance), Prince Charles, Sir Richard Branson and civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson.
Outside the people’s tent, flags, posters, hats and clothing bearing Madiba’s name, quotes or likeness are being sold.
Ishmael Mapea from Limpopo has come far to sell his wares.
“I feel happy because I am representing Limpopo. I came to bury my former President, I’m proud of that. I think I might be the only one from the District here on Sunday”.
Four Hindu friends drove 16 hours from Gauteng to be here, decked out in attire that reads Hamba Kahle Tata Madiba (Go well Mandela) and the dates of his birth and death.
Ronnie Jagwant said, “We are here because we love the father of our nation. The humbleness and kindness of the people in Qunu is something Mandela can be proud of. People have opened their doors to us, to people coming from all over the world to be here. My wife is going to do a scrapbook of this that will be handed down from generation to generation. My kids’ kids will say, look grandfather was in Qunu, he was part of history”.
His friend Gordon Cook spoke up: “Mandela was a great man. Sunday is a day of much sadness. But we must also accept and realise that we all have to die. It’s important to leave a legacy like Tata has done”.
Meanwhile, when the screen showed former president of Zambia Kenneth Kuanda, an 89 year old with a spring in his step, the people’s tent erupted in applause. Founder of the Zambian African National Congress Kuanda led Zambia to independence.
“Love your neighbour as you love yourself. Who are you to say he is not in God’s image? Whether you are white, black, red or brown you are all God’s children. So come together, work together and God will show you the way”, he said.
Major-General Bantu Holomisa, who was expelled from the ANC in 1996 after testifying at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission spoke next, saying Mandela showed South Africans the true meaning of ubuntu – human kindness.
“It was an honour to serve you,” he said to Nelson Mandela.
“The song has ended but we are all responsible to ensure the melody lingers on. God bless Africa”.
Next to me in the tent, Sidney Mlezane of the Department of Health in Qunu, is overcome by emotion.
“It is a great day. To be a part and parcel of this — it is and will remain part of the history of South Africa. I can say to people, I was there”.
Bishop Z. Siwa is next up to deliver a brief sermon to wrap up the funeral proceedings.
“Mandela’s life will continue to echo with us for many years to come. Mandela stood up against an unjust system, all the while realising that his freedom and your freedom cannot be separated”.
The crowd flocked outside as the military began the service to lead Madiba to his graveside. As mourners lined the hilltops, a crowd of Zulu stick-fighters in traditional garb danced down to meet the mourners and pay their respects to Madiba, who brought peace to South Africa despite all obstacles.
It’s been a long walk to freedom, but the journey continues for South Africa and indeed for the world.
As fighter jets blasted across the skies, the Zulu warriors danced with all their might, filling the valley with chants and singing in a final farewell to their chief. Though not much could be seen of Madiba’s final burial below, for most of us, just being here was enough.
After all, if Mandela’s spirit was anywhere it would be here, up on the hillside with his people, watching his family from afar, as he once watched over his cattle roaming the fields. May you watch over all of us Madiba. Rest in peace.
(Melissa Andrews is a freelance writer in South Africa)
