On Thursday, a rainbow appeared over the Union Buildings, the government offices in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, where Nelson Mandela’s body lies in state.Mandela Lies in State, and a Rainbow Nation Pays Its Respects.
Thousands of mourners lined up for hours on the second day of the public viewing to say their final good-byes to the beloved former president. As president of South Africa, Mandela often referred to his country as a “rainbow nation.”
Quote
Nelson Mandela’s inaugural address:
We enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity — a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.
We enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity — a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.
Mandela’s body will lie in state through Friday.
