STATE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE （州追悼会的晚了）.pdfVIP

STATE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE FORMER PRESIDENT Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Date: 10 December 2013 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013 Obituary of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela It is with deep sadness that the Government has learnt of the passing of the father of South Africa’s democracy – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. He passed on peacefully in the company of his family around 20h50 on the 5th of December 2013. The man who was to become one of the world’s greatest icons was born in Mvezo, Tran- skei on 18 July 1918, to Nongaphi Nosekeni and Henry Gadla Mandela. His father was the key counsellor/advisor to the Thembu royal house. After his father’s death in 1927, the young Rolihlahla became the ward of Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, the acting re- gent of the Thembu nation. It was at the Thembu royal homestead that his personality, values and political views were shaped. There can be no doubt that the young man went on to bring about some of the most significant and remarkable changes in South African history and politics. It is through Mandela that the world cast its eyes on South Africa and took notice of the severe and organized repression of black South Africans. Yet it was also through Man- dela that the world would learn the spirit of endurance, the triumph of forgiveness and the beauty of reconciliation. Indeed, the story of Nelson Mandela is so much the story of South Africa. When he was only 25 years old, Nelson Mandela joined the African National Con- gress. His political career would span decades more – as he himself said: “The struggle is my life.” The young Mandela also qualified and practiced as a lawyer. Together with Oliver Tambo he opened the first black legal practice in Johannesburg. Mandela married Evelyn Nomathamsanqa Mase in 1945. They were married for four- teen years and had four children: Thembekile (1946), M