The Cities This Week: Celebrating Mandela

 

This week, we consider the commemorative gestures made in cities across the world to mark the passing of South Africa’s Nelson Mandela.

Auckland

“The Auckland War Memorial Museum is paying tribute to Nelson Mandela by lighting up its exterior in the colours of South Africa for the next three nights. Its flags are already at half mast. Museum Director, Roy Clare, says it’s an honour to commemorate his achievements and extraordinary life.”

Beijing

“President Xi Jinping led China’s tributes to Nelson Mandela on Friday, praising his “historic contribution” to South Africa and the world following the death of the anti-apartheid leader.”

Paris

“Workmen unfurl a giant banner with a photo of the late South African President Nelson Mandela to cover the facade of the Quai d’Orsay Foreign Affairs Ministry in Paris, December 6, 2013”

Cape Town

“Mourners flocked to Cape Town’s Grand Parade on Friday to pay tribute to former president Nelson Mandela and pray in the place where he made his first speech after he was freed from prison.”

Johannesburg

“Ordinary South Africans came out in their numbers to celebrate the life of former president Nelson Mandela, gathering at both his Houghton home, where he died, and his former family home in Soweto, now a museum, in Vilikazi Street.”

London

“In Parliament Square, the statue of the late statesman – unveiled in 2007 – stood almost engulfed in flowers. Around its feet lay flags, Springboks scarves, commemorative editions of the morning’s newspapers. Scores of people gathered to take pictures.”

Washington D.C.

“South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool and D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced a week of mourning for Mandela, echoing efforts underway in South Africa and around the globe to celebrate the legacy of the political prisoner turned president who died Thursday at age 95.”

New York City

“The Empire State Building was lit up in blue, red, yellow, and green, the colours of the South African flag, on Friday night in a tribute to Nelson Mandela that was planned to last through Saturday night…Outside the South African consulate in Murray Hill, visitors and South African natives stopped by Friday to honor Mandela. Flowers and candles were placed outside the consulate by visitors.”