/ 8 December 2013

Mandela preached, practised reconciliation, says Zuma

President Jacob Zuma addressed a crowd outside Nelson Mandela's Houghton home.
President Jacob Zuma addressed a crowd outside Nelson Mandela's Houghton home.

A churchgoer at the Bryanston Methodist Church in Johannesburg shouted, "Oh Yes" as president Jacob Zuma praised his predecessor Nelson Mandela on Sunday.

"[These prayer services] will go a long way to heal our country," said Zuma. A woman in a yellow and black head-dress and outfit chuckled when "Oh Yes!" was repeatedly shouted from the pews in response to Zuma's speech.

ANC MP and Mandela's former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela tilted her head, adorned in a black turban, as she listened to Zuma, her facial expression sombre and unchanging throughout the service.

Various Mandela family members and government officials were at the church, as was TV personality Oprah Winfrey's partner Stedman Graham.

Zuma said Mandela's death was an "unprecedented loss" for the country. South Africans should pray to remember the values of freedom, peace, forgiveness, justice and caring Mandela fought and stood for, he said.

"He preached and practised reconciliation."

Dance, sing and hug
Zuma gave the example that when being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Mandela walked together with "those who were fighting yesterday [and now] they were uniting together. Mandela distinguished himself for good things and good things only," said Zuma.

The minister commented on the presence of children at the church, and babies who were baptised, saying: "We received the babies and the small children; as we look into the future we carry with us the hope that all will be well."

Zuma smiled and gave a small laugh as the minister roused the churchgoers with his sermon. The band played after his talk and members of the congregation danced, sang and hugged. – Sapa