By Kurt Campbell
[www.inewsguyana.com] – President Donald Ramotar has departed Guyana for South Africa to attend the funeral of the late former South African President, Nelson Mandela.
This is according to Transport Minister Robeson Benn who confirmed on Saturday night (December 7) that the President left earlier in the day along with his Director General.
He could not confirm however, if any other Minister of the Government had accompanied the Head of State.
Earlier in the day, President Ramotar signed the book of condolence for the late anti-apartheid leader along with First Lady Deolatchme Ramotar.
In a previous statement the President described Mandela’s passing as a “loss not just for the people of South Africa but for Africa as a whole and the world at large.”
He said Mandela was a giant in defence of human rights and for a free and just society. Mandela died from complications from a recurring lung infection on Thursday last at age 95.
Vigils for the Former Leader have been ongoing since across South Africa.
There is a planned 10-day state funeral to give as many persons as possible the opportunity to pay their last respects.
On Tuesday (December 10) an official memorial service will be held at the FNB Stadium on the outskirts of Johannesburg, which President Ramotar is expected to attend.
When the three days of laying in state is over, Mandela’s body will be flown from an air force base in Pretoria to Qunu in the Eastern Cape for burial.
