PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds yesterday signed the Book of Condolence for the late South African President, Nelson Mandela that was opened at the National Cultural Centre (NCC).
Mandela died on December 5 at the age of 95. He had been receiving intensive medical care at home for a lung infection after spending three months in hospital.President Donald Ramotar departed Guyana Saturday to join over 90 other heads for the funeral, an event that is expected to be the largest gathering of world leaders in Africa’s history.
In a brief comment, the Prime Minister said that persons who are old enough to remember, would recall the great fear that pervaded that apartheid would end in much blood-shed. However, this did not happen, and for that, South Africa and the rest of the world owe Mandela an immense debt of gratitude.
Mandela, or ‘Madiba’, as he was fondly referred to by his people, was a political activist and philanthropist who spent 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa’s first black president.
The book of condolence is open to the public on the following days and time:
*Tuesday, December 10           09:00am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 6:30pm
*Wednesday, December 11      09:00am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 6:30pm
*Thursday, December 12          09:00am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 6:30pm
*Friday, December 13              09:00am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 6:30pm
*Saturday, December 14           09:00am to 12:00pm