Live Video Stream: Nelson Mandela’s Memorial
[Updated] The eyes of the world are on South Africa today [Dec 10] as the nation pays tribute to the father of their democracy, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
Considered a hero around the world, Mr. Mandela suffered through 27 years of imprisonment at the hands of the racist apartheid regime, before going on to become the first President elected under all race elections, a Nobel Peace Prize Winner and a world renowned humanitarian.
The former President’s funeral is one of the biggest gatherings of heads of state in history, with dignitaries in attendance including US President Barack Obama, former US President Bill Clinton, former US President George W. Bush, former US President Jimmy Carter, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince Charles, French President Francois Hollande, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
According to the official programme [PDF] service will see foreign dignitaries address the crowd, including both American President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro Ruz.
With 91 heads of state attending, security was tight. CNN reports the South African government is using an elite military task force, sniper teams and canine teams to help secure the stadium, and helicopters and military jets frequently fly overhead.
Thousands have packed the stadium, and cheers can be heard erupting for dignitaries and celebrities as they enter, with the loudest roars for South Africa’s own dignitaries.
Massive cheers were heard for Mr Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Mandela, who also took part in the struggle and walked by his side as he left prison after 27 years. A poignant moment ensured as the former Mrs Mandela went over and hugged Mr Mandela’s wife Graca Machel.
The 95,000-capacity venue where the memorial is being held is also the spot where Mr Mandela made his last public appearance at the closing ceremony of the 2010 World Cup.
The memorial is being carried by most major TV networks, with one American commentator rushing to explain that they don’t control the feed as the camera zoomed in on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
Mr Mandela is being memorialized exactly ten years after he received the Nobel Peace Prize, which he collected in Norway on 10 December in 1993. The rain is falling, and the South African commentators have said heaven has opened up to welcome home the man they call Mandiba.
Update 10.20am: The Memorial service has ended, and there is countless coverage available of it on all the international news websites. The stream below continues to play, with SABC News from South Africa providing replays of the Memorial, combined with continuous coverage of the various events surrounding the nation’s mourning of Nelson Mandela.
Live stream below courtesy of SABC News and a link to NBC News stream is here and ABC News here:
R.I.P. Pa Pa Mandela.
Thank You Bernews for live coverage as there is many news agency who is covering this service, but many of them have commercials and news reporters talking during the service.
Thank You for having your link posted here uninterrupted,Just over a week ago the Christian World lost the likes of one of our spiritual fathers, in the likes of Dr. Paul Crouch of Trinity Broadcasting Network and in less then a week the World also mourns,Ta Ta Madiba President Nelson Mandela and as much as it is a solemn moment in history I cant help but see that there seems to be one more World Leader who is about to depart.
The World is mourning but nothing takes God by surprise and i truly believe it is a changing of the guards and when it is this powerful they go in three’s, so in closing I say to God be the glory for the life of Dr. Paul crouch and President Madiba Nelson Mandela, Ta Ta.
Thank You once again Bernews.com for coverage well done.
Wish I was there. What a great man!!
Thank you.