Ms Zille said the Grand Parade on Darling Street in the city centre, where Mandela made his first speech after being released from prison on Robben Island in 1990, has been designated as the primary public space where people can gather to mourn and bring flowers to commemorate his life. A number of people had started gathering around the Grand Parade on Friday morning to pay their respects to the global icon.
Ms Zille said the provincial government, while awaiting the national government’s official plans, would be supporting the interfaith service taking place at the City Hall on Friday afternoon, adding that the Grand Parade would be the focal point of all events in the city. She said the provincial government would be contribute to free transport being offered into and out of town.
Mandela died at his Houghton home in Johannesburg on Thursday night at the age of 95. His death came after a series of hospitalisations for lung infections and several months of intensive care at his home.
"We all belong to the South African family and we owe that sense of belonging to Mandela. 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," Ms Zille said.
"Through his humility, moral conviction and bold leadership, Mandela gave us a gift for which we, and successive generations, will forever be 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."
Earlier today, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu paid tribute to Mandela at a church service at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town. "Thank you God for the gift of Mandela… thank you for what he has enabled us to know what we can become," he said during the service.
Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said today that the city would activate public viewing areas throughout the city within the next 48 hours. She said the City Hall and the Civic Centre had already been set up as public viewing areas where residents could come and sign condolence books.
"On Sunday, we will hold a special meeting of council where we will pay tribute to Mandela and discuss the plans for his remembrance," Ms de Lille said "the city, in conjunction with Golden Arrow Bus Services and Metrorail, would provide free transport for anyone who wanted to attend the interfaith service on Friday afternoon. Trains and buses would provide free travel from all parts of the metro between 12pm and 3pm to the CBD on Friday, and would transport people home from 7pm until the service had ended."
Meanwhile, the Cape Chamber of Commerce also paid tribute to Mandela on today Friday. Cape Chamber spokeswoman Monique Johnstone said Mandela epitomised the values to which all business leaders should aspire, which included dignity, respect and absolute integrity.
"The Cape Chamber commits itself to uphold the values of Mr Mandela who was made an honorary member of the chamber in October 2000. We commit to continuing our work in assisting businesses to build a thriving economy, and, through this, a better South Africa for all.
"We stand united in our resolution to follow Mr Mandela’s vision of a prosperous African continent. The Cape Chamber will continue in its efforts to unite African business and to work towards a sustainable, collaborative and competitive African economy," Ms Johnstone said.
See some of his pics below.....
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