PM Now In South Africa For Mandela Memorial

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is now in South Africa to attend tomorrow’s memorial service for former president Nelson Mandela.

The Prime Minister left Jamaica on Saturday, which also marked the start of a nine-day period of mourning for Mandela in South Africa.

Tomorrow’s memorial service will be held at a Johannesburg stadium.

The Prime Minister is being accompanied by Ambassador Carlton Masters, the Special Representative to the African Union; her support; and security staff.

She will return to Jamaica on Thursday in time for a joint session of Parliament in honour of Mandela.

Meanwhile, Mandela’s body will lie in state at government buildings in Pretoria from Wednesday, December 11, until the burial on Sunday.

Some 60 heads of Government have announced they will take part in the memorial service or state funeral for Mandela.

US President Barack Obama, Francois Hollande of France and UK Prime Minister, David Cameron will be among those attending Tuesday’s memorial.

South Africa’s first black president died on Thursday.

 

For the original report go to http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=49817