Is was one year yesterday since south Africa Nelson Mandela pass
on, Events are being held across South Africa to mark one year since the death
of Nelson Mandela, including a wreath-laying ceremony and a cricket match.
Anti-apartheid
movement veterans joined Mr Mandela's widow, Graca Machel, at a remembrance
service in Pretoria.
Sirens and
vuvuzelas sounded across the country before a commemorative three minutes'
silence was held.There was a worldwide outpouring of grief when South Africa's first black president died a year ago aged 95.
The body gave in but Madiba's spirit never, never changed, it was
always the same until the end”
Graca Machel Nelson Mandela's widow
Mr Mandela, also known by his clan name of
Madiba, spent 27 years in prison for fighting white-minority rule in South
Africa.
In a
statement, US President Barack Obama said the world lost a leader one year ago
"whose struggle and sacrifices inspired us to stand up for our fundamental
principles, whose example reminded us of the enduring need for compassion,
understanding and reconciliation, and whose vision saw the promise of a better
world". "On this day, and on every day, we honour his spirit and his memory."
South African President Jacob Zuma, who is currently visiting China, described the anniversary as a "sad day in our country".
Legacy continues
One of
Mandela's granddaughters, Ndileka, told the BBC on Friday that South Africans
were still upholding Mandela's legacy and honouring his memory by living by his
values of peace and reconciliation."That's just the spirit of who granddad was, that even after a year that he's gone peace still prevails, people still upholding his legacy and what he stood for, because he stood for peace and reconciliation."
Many South Africans said they were reflecting on whether the nation was following in his footsteps, says the BBC's Milton Nkosi in Johannesburg.
Veteran liberation struggle hero Ahmed Kathrada addressed the remembrance service at the Union Buildings in Pretoria
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