A Nation United in Grief

Today, South Africa lost the greatest son of its soil. Today the rainbow nation lost its father. 

Today, we are a nation united in grief. 

It is with deep and profound sadness that we say: Lala ngoxolo Tata. Asoze sikulibale (Rest in peace Tata, we will never forget you). 

Our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers are with Madiba’s wife, Graca, his former wife, Winnie, his daughters Makaziwe, Zenani and Zindziswa, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren.

May they find the strength to overcome the pain of this great loss. And may the entire Mandela family be accorded the respect they deserve at this time. May they be accorded the right to mourn in peace. The nation mourns with them.

We all belong to the South African family – and we owe that sense of belonging to Madiba. That is his legacy.  It is why there is an unparalleled outpouring of national grief at his passing.  It is commensurate with the contribution he made to our country.   

Through his humility, moral conviction and bold leadership, Madiba gave us a gift for which we, and successive generations will be forever grateful. He gave us his vision of a free and inclusive South Africa and the unwavering belief that such a society could be achieved in his lifetime.  

He was, quite simply, the greatest South African that ever lived. We shall never see his like again.

Let all South Africans join hands as we mourn Madiba’s passing and celebrate his life. Let us re-affirm his values and recapture his spirit in all we do.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Tata Madiba: 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013

Logistical information:

Approximately half of the 160 planned Places of Tribute will be activated from midday today across the Western Cape and the other half by tomorrow morning, with the Grand Parade on Darling Street having been designated as the primary public space where residents of Cape Town can gather to mourn and bring flowers to commemorate Nelson Mandela and express the nation’s shared grief. Members of the public are invited to make use of their nearest Place of Tribute to remember Madiba, celebrate his life and honour his legacy.

The Places of Tribute will provide members of the public an opportunity to write in the condolences book and to pay tribute to Madiba in a dignified way.

We will launch a commemoration webpage on the Western Cape Government website to go live by 12pm. The website will offer the following information:

• Street addresses and opening hours of 160 Places of Tribute – this will be provided both on an interactive map and in a table
• A place to record your tributes and memories of Madiba
• A history of his life and a summary of places in the Western Cape , which were of significance to Madiba’s life

The website is: www.westerncape.gov.za/madiba.

The Western Cape Government will also be supporting the interfaith service taking place at the City Hall at 5pm today.

We will be contributing to free transport into and out of town. Free public transport  will operate from 12.00 – 15.00 and the outbound service will operate from 17.00.

A Media Centre will be in place at the City Hall and outside broadcast vans will be accommodated on the Grand Parade.