The sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela’s memorial, who claimed schizophrenia after being accused of being an arm-flapping fraud, has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital, South African media reported on Thursday. Thamsanqa Jantjie sparked…
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On a public holiday dedicated to reconciliation, South Africans on Monday started coming to terms with the loss of Nelson Mandela, a day after he was buried at the end of a life struggle for freedom and equality. A nine-metre, bronze statue of the democracy…
Will the gravesite of Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest statesmen the world has ever seen, be permanently off limits for the public? This was the question on many lips as the democracy icon was buried with full honours in his rural boyhood village…
Ayanda Mbatyothi, who bears a striking resemblance to a young Nelson Mandela, vowed Sunday to carry on the legacy of the icon who had unwittingly launched his career. The 37-year-old, who hails from an impoverished township in eastern South Africa,…
Anti-apartheid struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada’s voice wavered on Sunday as he paid a moving final tribute to his fellow freedom fighter and close friend Nelson Mandela. Addressing the late struggle icon by their mutual nickname “Madala”, which means…
A “fake” sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service has said he suffered a schizophrenic episode. Thamsanqa Jantjie, who was criticised for apparently making “meaningless gestures” while interpreting the speeches of world leaders…
0750 GMT: Malawi’s President Joyce Banda speaks of how she has learnt from Mandela — and how the rest of the region can do so as well. “I learnt that leadership is about falling in love with the people that you serve and the people falling in love…
A 21-gun salute and full honour guard escorted the coffin of Nelson Mandela as his state funeral got underway Sunday in the rolling hills of his rural boyhood home. A Xhosa hymn, “Fulfill Your Promise”, sounded the start of the ceremony, organised to…
South Africa’s government was confronted Friday with a new and chilling allegation about the bogus sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela’s memorial: He was reportedly accused of murder 10 years ago. (Dec. 13)
The cortege carrying Nelson Mandela’s body reached his final resting place, his boyhood village of Qunu, on Saturday. The procession entered through the gates of Mandela’s homestead accompanied by military vehicles while helicopters flew overhead. “…
South African peace icon Desmond Tutu said on Saturday he was not invited to the burial of his friend Nelson Mandela, amid allegations he was snubbed for political reasons. “Much as I would have loved to attend the service to say a final farewell to…
Burglars broke in to the home of South African peace icon Desmond Tutu when he was in Soweto to speak at Nelson Mandela’s memorial, an aide said Wednesday. “I can confirm that there was a burglary last night,” Tutu aide Roger Friedman told AFP.
US President Barack Obama on Tuesday eulogized Nelson Mandela as a “giant of history” who earned his place in posterity through struggle, shrewdness and by showing the power of political action. Obama painted Mandela as a testament to how people can…
US President Barack Obama on Tuesday shook hands with Raul Castro, leader of long-time Cold War foe Cuba, at the Nelson Mandela memorial service in Soweto. Obama offered the handshake before taking the stage to give his speech at the ceremony, in a…
Sky News’ Jeremy Thompson takes a look behind the scenes at some of the many gifts and awards given to Nelson Mandela, and also visits his private office. South Africa is preparing for the arrival of scores of world leaders as the official mourning…
Tens of thousands of South Africans converged in sorrow, celebration and pride Tuesday on Soweto’s World Cup stadium, to sit side-by-side with presidents, priests and queens at a memorial service for unifying global icon Nelson Mandela. Close to 100…
0715 GMT: The presidents of the United States and Cuba are among those who will share the memorial stage, while four of Mandela’s grandchildren will speak, although neither his widow, Graca Machel, nor his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela are listed…
Nelson Mandela’s widow Graca Machel, who barely left her husband’s bedside in the final six months of his life, has hardly been seen in the wake of his death. Machel maintained a near round-the-clock bedside vigil during the 84 days Mandela spent in…
South African security forces had only days to implement a rough plan for Nelson Mandela’s grand funeral, based partly on blueprints of past major events like the 2010 World Cup final. South Africa’s first black president had been seriously ill for…
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams will travel to South Africa this week to pay tribute to anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, he announced on Monday. The Irish republican said he was invited to Tuesday’s huge memorial service in Soweto along with dozens…