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Death and state funeral of Nelson Mandela

On 5 December 2013, Nelson Mandela, the first President of South Africa to be elected in a fully representative democratic election, as well as the country's first black head of state, died at the age of 95 after a prolonged respiratory infection.[1] He died at around 20:50 local time (UTC+2) at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, surrounded by family.[2] His death was announced by then President Jacob Zuma on national television at 23:45.[3][4][2][5] Reactions from governments, international organizations, and notable individuals, gained worldwide media coverage.

Date

5 December 2013 (2013-12-05)

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
(Memorial service)
Pretoria, Gauteng
(Public viewing)
Qunu, Eastern Cape
(State funeral and burial)

www.mandela.gov.za

South Africa observed a national mourning period of 10 days. During this time numerous memorial services were conducted across the country. The official memorial service was held at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, on 10 December where the 95,000-seat stadium was two-thirds full because of the cold, rain, and transport challenges.[6] Mandela's body lay in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria from 11 to 13 December 2013. A state funeral was held on 15 December 2013 in Qunu in the Eastern Cape, where his body was buried.

Heads of State or of Government: the and three former presidents of the United States; the President of India; the Prime Minister of Italy; the Vice President of China; the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia; the President of Brazil; the President of Finland; the President of France; the President of Ireland; the President of Portugal; the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; the President of Germany and Chancellor of Germany; the Prime Minister of Australia; two former Governors General of Canada, the Prime Minister of Canada, and four former Prime Ministers of Canada; the Prime Minister of Jamaica; the Prime Minister of Jordan; and the President of Afghanistan.

President of the United States

Royal dignitaries included: the , the King of Belgium, the Prince of Wales, the Prince of Asturias, the Crown Prince of Denmark, the Crown Princess of Sweden, the Crown Prince of Norway, the Crown Prince of Japan, and the Queen of Jordan.[7]

King of the Netherlands

Multilateral leaders include: the , the Commonwealth Secretary General, the President of the European Commission and representatives from other organizations such as the IMF and the World Bank Group.

Secretary-General of the United Nations

President of South Africa said: "Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father. Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can reduce the sense of our profound loss."[41]

Jacob Zuma

Mandela's predecessor as president of South Africa, said: "He was a great unifier and a very, very special man in this regard beyond everything else he did. This emphasis on reconciliation was his biggest legacy."[42]

F. W. de Klerk

then premier of the Western Cape, said: "We all belong to the South African family—and we owe that sense of belonging to Madiba. That is his legacy."[43]

Helen Zille

then Deputy President of South Africa, said: "The world over, his name has evolved into a metaphor," He said: "The name Nelson Mandela has entered the pantheon of history's sages."[44]

Kgalema Motlanthe

Last will and testament[edit]

The last will and testament of Mandela was read on 3 February 2014.[193] At the time of the reading, his estate was worth an estimated 46 million Rand.[194] The will was written in 2004 and was last amended in 2008.[195]


In the will, Mandela left his estate to Machel, family members, staff, schools and the ANC.[195]

C-SPAN, 10 December 2013, complete video plus transcript from Closed Captioning (5:00:00)

Memorial Service for Nelson Mandela