A tribute to Nelson Rodrihiala Mandela (July 18th, 1918 - 8:05 pm, December 5th, 2013) - The first President of the Republic of South Africa (1994-1999) - and his 95-year life.
Memorial service: December 10th, 2013 (Johannesburg) + Lying in state : December 6th, 2013 to December 14th, 2013 (Cape Town) + Funeral: December 15th, 2013 (Qunu)
This is also the 20th anniversary of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize awarding, which Mandela won. The service also coincided with the 2013 United Nations Human Rights Day celebrations.
(Representatives from some other organizations such as NEPAD, Group of 77,... as well as some United Nations Human Rights Commission Members was also presented).
Had they been alive, the following guests may also attend the service :
The Government of South Africa has sent invitations to all past and present former heads of state and government and leaders of international organizations. However, while many of them came to the service, lots of world leaders declined their invitations due to many different reasons. They were :
(*) : Her attendance is disputed.
(**) : Representing former President Jacques Chirac, who did not attend due to health problems.
“I said to the Secretary General of the United Nations (Ban Ki-Moon), if you wanted to call a General Assembly, you could do it here rather than find another venue. They are all here.” (Collins Chabane, President of the Organizing Committee for the Funeral of Nelson Mandela)
“The Mandela funeral will officially be the biggest ever in history globally” (Clayson Monyela, Spokesman of the Government of South Africa).