14 DAY TRIAL // It was anticipated that the funeral service and the memorial for Nelson Mandela would be not only the largest event of the year, but possibly of the decade.
After the procession that took place today, December 10 at the 90,000-seat FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, it might look as the largest event and gathering of the "who's who" of the century.
Among the most notable guests was American president Barack Obama, who even gave a speech at the festivities and was cheered by tens of thousands of South Africans on the stadium when he was introduced as a “son of Africa.” Former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter also came down to South Africa to pay their respects.
Presidents, prime ministers and other dignitaries from virtually every country around the world were present: French president Francois Hollande, former president Nicholas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister David Cameron and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, German president Joachim Gauck, Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe and Cuban president Raul Castro, were all seen in the tribunes.
From the entertainment sphere, the most notable appearances were from U2 singer Bono, South African native and Hollywood actress Charlize Theron and supermodel Naomi Campbell. British Tycoon Richard Branson also chose to come, as did Annie Lennox and Peter Gabriel.
Most of them had been connected in one way or another to Nelson Mandela at one point of his life, or simply supported his ideals and achievements.
Despite the heavy rain, the overall mood was that of celebration, with people chanting and dancing in their seats, with the ubiquitous sound of the “vuvuzela” humming in the air, as many anti-apartheid songs could be heard.
It's been thought that this event would freeze traffic in the region, especially since private vehicles were not allowed in the proximity of the stadium. The government had increased the numbers of trains coming into Johannesburg and brought in buses from all over the country to transport people who wanted to pay their condolences.
This is actually the second in a series of major events honoring the former South African leader. A State funeral is set to take place on Sunday in Mandela's hometown of Qunu in the Eastern Cape province. Nelson Madela died last Thursday, December 5, at the age of 95.