South Africa mourns Mandela

After waking up to the news of Nelson Mandela’s passing, South Africans united in their mourning. Hundreds have gathered outside of Mandela’s home in Johannesburg to remember their hero and celebrate his life.

Mostly it’s celebratory. A few people have gotten emotional and cried, but they’ve been bringing flowers, they’ve been dancing, they’ve been reciting poetry, and remembering his legacy.

“He represented hope, he represented freedom, so today I’m here to show that I’m thankful for him.”

Perhaps Mandela’s greatest legacy is bringing reconciliation to this country. There are white South Africans, there are black South Africans, all celebrating his life.

At the end of apartheid, that very strict, very oppressive white minority rule, there could have been serious racial violence in this country. Instead, Mandela came out and said he was forgiving his oppressors, he wanted to move on, he wanted to build a better society.

South African president Jacob Zuma has announced that Mandela’s funeral will be on December 15th.

Prince William and Kate were among the high-profile people who learned of Mandela’s passing as the credits rolled at the London premiere of the biopic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

Today, Queen Elizabeth expressed her shock about the news. “Well I heard at 10 o’clock. And at the end of the film they were clapping like mad you know. Somebody came on and said, ‘could you just listen we’ve heard he died.’ It was amazing isn’t it? During the first night of the film.”

Mandela’s daughters were also at the film’s premiere and learned about his death during the film, but asked that the movie to be allowed to continue. The Queen made the comments today while taking a moment to look at a plaque commemorating a visit by Mandela to Westminster Hall in 1996.