Mourning, Honoring, Celebrating Madiba
Nelson Mandela was buried yesterday (Sunday), and South Africa’s official period of mourning came to an end. After listening to the funeral on the radio Sunday morning, I thought I was finished mourning too.
But I hadn’t yet been to Mandela’s house in Houghton, where he actually passed away on December 5. My friend Michelle, who just flew into Joburg this weekend, wanted to go. So we went to Houghton on Sunday evening.
I actually thought we might be too late and that things would have died down in Houghton by last night. Once again, I was wrong. The street was still a huge, living, breathing memorial to Madiba.
The memorial in front of Mandela’s Houghton House.
The flowers were piled up two or three feet high.
Fresh flowers.
Note to Madiba in Afrikaans.
Mandela’s street was lined with vendors. I liked this stand especially – the vendors set up their merchandise on the backs of the portable toilets.
There was an impromptu gathering in front of the barrier, where people were singing and dancing and reciting poetry.
Lady dancing.
I’m not sure who this guy is but he took on the role of emcee for the singing and dancing and poetry reciting.
There were so many candles burning – I could smell the wax from several feet away. Occasionally the candles melted together and started larger fires, which the security guards extinguished.
The vibe in Houghton was really beautiful. I’m glad I went yesterday to say goodbye one last time.
Rest in peace, Madiba.
This isn’t quite the end of my 2Summers Mandela tribute – I’ve got one more post coming.
Comments
Thanks for sharing, Heather. It’s sad to lose such an amazing man. Your words and photos offer a beautiful tribute.
Hugs from Ecuador, Kathy
Thanks Kathy!
Beautiful tribute. We were able to go a week ago Sunday, it was so moving. There were a lot of flowers then, but from your photos I can see there are many more now. The singing and dancing was amazing as well. Thanks for sharing your tribute.
Thank you ,this is really moving for those of us that cannot participate physically in the celebration of Madiba’s life and heritage
HI THERE I HAVE SEEN YOUR PICTURES FROM NELSON MANDELA’S HOUSE THEY ARE EXCELLENT. WELL DONE FROM GARY SHER
Thank you!
HI THERE I WILL MISS NELSON MANDELA, REMEMBERING HIM FOR HIS HEROIC AND SELFLESS LEADERSHIP OF SOUTH AFRICA IN GUIDING OUR COUNTRY TO FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY. FROM GARY SHER
wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing! Not having been there I’ve had to rely on the pictures my friends took, and yours, as always, are especially poignant. Makes you feel as if you were there. Thank you!
Hi heather, that photo of the lady dancing i saw in the Oregonian !!!
Linda Sneed
Hi Kathy, Sometimes I feel that you are the embodiment of the part of my soul which I left behind when I left South Africa.
I’m not sure if you know what the Afrikaans message says: (bearing in mind that Mandela was once public enemy #1)
Mr Mandela Thank you for ultimately being a peacemaker for us. Matt 6:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be named the children of God.
This is particularly poignant as it sums up the intellectual and emotional reversal of beliefs that most of us privileged whites had before and after April 1994.
RIP MADIBA
Lotsa luv, Dee
Thanks so much, Dee. This is a beautiful comment. I didn’t know what the Afrikaans note said so thank you for the translation.
By the way, my name is Heather, not Kathy :)