R72m has been allocated by the City of Cape Town for its week-long programme of events honouring Nelson Mandela.

Cape Town - A huge R72 million has been allocated by the City of Cape Town for its week-long programme of events honouring Nelson Mandela.

The city will also spend almost R1m providing free public transport to the thousands of mourners wanting to gather at the city hall, central business district and other places of tribute.

At a special council meeting on Sunday to honour the former statesman, and the first to be held on a Sunday, the city’s directorate of compliance and auxiliary services said that, while the national government would take the lead with its memorial programme, “significant” attention would be given to Cape Town, given its historical links with Madiba.

In her tribute, mayor Patricia de Lille recalled what Mandela had said in 1997 when he was given the Freedom of the City: “In Cape Town resides part of the souls of many nations and cultures, priceless threads in the rich diversity of our African nation… it was the people of Cape Town who welcomed me on my first day of freedom.”

Robben Island, the Drakenstein Correctional Centre, Pollsmoor, Cape Town City Hall and the Grand Parade have been identified as key areas where people are likely to congregate to pay their respects. But the city has assured Capetonians that there will also be “free and convenient” access to venues and related events close to their homes.

Transport and safety plans, used during the 2010 World Cup, would get into gear.

Free public transport - on rail, buses, the MyCiti service and minibus taxis - will be available for designated periods for the memorial and funeral services on Wednesday and Sunday.

Agreements with transport operators had been reached “verbally at short notice”, the city said. It was also possible that estimated costs could change and would be reported to council after the event.

The R72m is to come from departments required to contribute to these events, such as tourism and marketing. The actual costs will appropriated in the January adjustments budget.

Shared her memories of Mandela, from her time as an MP, De Lille said he would call her on her birthday and referred to her as his favourite opposition politician, she said.

“I was privileged to have had a personal relationship with Madiba.”

Councillors from each of the political parties in council were given an opportunity to pay their respects to Mandela.

ANC chief whip Xolani Sotashe said Madiba’s death had “left a void in our hearts that can never be filled”.

Clive Justus, who spoke for the DA, said: “The Rainbow Nation has lost its father. We are a united nation in grief. Let us remember his unity.

“Though there is a great deal that divides us, there is much that binds us.”

* Public viewing areas where communities may view the remembrance and funeral services are: the Grand Parade, Atlantis, Durbanville, Khayelitsha, Swartklip, Vygieskraal, Muizenberg.

Planned events:

Monday: Evening of remembrance at the OR Tambo Hall, Khayelitsha, at 7pm.

Wednesday: Memorial service at Cape Town Stadium at 4pm. Those wanting to attend may collect free coupons, on presentation of a valid driving licence or identity document, from Computicket stands, Shoprite, and Shoprite/Checkers outlets across Cape Town on a first come, first served basis. A maximum of five coupons will be given to each person. Access to the stadium will be allowed only on presentation of a coupon. The gates will open at 2pm, and the service should be finished by 11pm. There will be public transport to and from the event.

anel.lewis@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

When Zapiro introduced Madiba to the puppet version of himself, he responded: “Ah, I believe I’ve met this gentleman before.”

Cape Town -

Cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro introduced Nelson Mandela to the puppet version of himself and without skipping a beat Mandela responded: “Ah, I believe I’ve met this gentleman before.”

Shapiro, whose pen name is Zapiro, said the fact Mandela was not offended when approached with the puppet showed his true character.

“He responded with such humour, him meeting his sort-of likeness… He asked about it and wished me luck.

“One of the great lessons he can teach his successors is to understand satire. He always understood,” Shapiro said.

The relationship between Mandela and Shapiro’s pen started in 1990 and in the decade from 1994 Shapiro drew the bulk of about 260 cartoons of Mandela.

After 2005, he found himself drawing Mandela less frequently but with “great intent and purpose”.

Shapiro found as the ANC departed further from principles, it became necessary for people to use Mandela as an example.

He had been studying in New York when Mandela was released from prison in 1990.

“I was devastated not to be here.”

Shapiro had done his first few drawings of Mandela before seeing him in person.

“I look at them and find them quite clunky. It was based on old photos. For those of us trying to draw him, it was very difficult trying to capture him. In 1991 I think I managed to nail the caricature,” he said.

Shapiro enjoyed drawing a much younger Mandela.

“I had a lot of fun drawing him as a child. Imaging him as a child in Qunu.”

He first met Mandela in 1994 and said after that he had been lucky to meet Mandela a few more times, including twice with his family.

On a week day in March 1998, Mandela had phoned Shapiro – a story which Shapiro said he had recounted so many times he was embarrassed.

At the time of the call, Shapiro said his cartoons had become more and more critical of the ANC.

Mandela had started out the conversation saying: “I’m very upset with you.”

However, he had reassured Shapiro he was joking and Shapiro had pointed out that his cartoons had become more critical.

Shapiro said he was taken aback when Mandela had responded: “Oh, but that’s your job.”

“It’s been the most important thing anyone’s ever said to me because it came from him and because it showed what kind of leader he’d been. I’m particularly impressed he picked up the phone and called me personally,” he said.

Shapiro said Mandela had played his part in the country a long time ago.

He hoped people in power would start living up to the ideals that Mandela had believed in and maintained.

He had drawn a number of Mandela cartoons which he considered as his favourite, but one that stood out was about Mandela’s 1996 state visit to London.

The image showed Mandela sitting next to Queen Elizabeth II in a horse-drawn carriage smiling and waving at a crowd.

A speech bubble from a police officer ensuring the crowd is kept back says: “The next bloody tourist who asks who’s the little old lady next to Mandela…!”

caryn.dolley@inl.co.za

Cape Times

"A group of scantily clad women pulled him into the crowd. He goes in to dance. I realise I've lost him."

Cape Town - Director Jo Menell fears he he could go down in history as “the guy that lost Madiba”.

Faced with bizarre scene of scores of distorted Nelson Mandelas dancing in the streets of the Bahamas, he confronted this possibility.

But the man who was on the verge of becoming the first leader of a democratic South Africa was happily dancing in the heart of a crowd, those around him seemingly unaware he was the real deal.

When Mandela’s bobbing grey head was eventually spotted in between his lookalikes and he was told it was time to go, he replied: “I’m having a really good time.”

Menell told the Cape Times how a 1993 trip to the Bahamas to give Mandela a chance to rest resulted in Mandela’s curiosity leading them to a Mandela-themed street parade.

The trip had come about because Menell, who years later received an Oscar nomination as director of the film biography Mandela, had struggled to get quality time with Mandela in South Africa to glean details about his life.

At that point Mandela was suffering from high blood pressure and swollen ankles.

“So I hatched a scheme,” Menell said. He and anti-apartheid activist Barbara Masekela decided to get Mandela somewhere quiet.

Menell contacted his friend, Irish businessman Tony O’Reilly, who organised them a plane and a stay at O’Reilly’s mansion in the Bahamas.

“So we hijack Madiba. We get him there and he’s resting.”

Menell said he spent time with Mandela early in the mornings. “All was going very well. We were walking all over this island. The officials on the island didn’t know he was there,” he said.

One day, Mandela read a newspaper article about the Junkanoo street parade, a festival of Bahamian culture.

“It’s a big, big deal on the island of Nassau. The entire town goes crazy… Madiba reads about it and says he would like to have a look.”

It was decided Mandela could “just slip in and slip out” and his bodyguards were briefed.

When they arrived at the parade they realised it was Mandela-themed. “You have enormous 4m high Mandelas, a lot of people wearing Mandela masks.”

Menell said rum was flowing freely and “a heavy cloud of dagga” hung over the scene.

Mandela was standing watching when he was suddenly swallowed up by the crowd.

“A group of scantily clad women pulled him into the crowds of people. He goes in to dance, like Madiba does. I realise I’ve lost him. No one knows this is the real Madiba.”

Menell feared he would forever be known as the man who virtually lost South Africa.

After a while, though, he saw Mandela’s head.

“He was dancing in the middle of a crowd,” Menell said.

It all lasted about 45 minutes during the first few days of Mandela’s 10-day stay in the Bahamas.

Jeremy Vearey, now a police major-general, who was one of Mandela’s bodyguards at the time, had been at the Junkanoo parade with Mandela.

He said Mandela stayed in an area very isolated from the rest of the community and it appeared information of his stay had leaked, which was why revellers had donned Mandela masks.

Another incident which showed Mandela’s more adventurous side involved a 1948 vintage Bentley Mark V.

Menell said he and Mandela were at a secluded wine farm in Constantia for work purposes when Mandela spotted the convertible car, an inheritance from Menell’s father.

“Madiba eyed me. He said: ‘I’d like to do a drive.’”

Menell was hesitant, but Mandela said a short drive would do. “The more I drive the more he enjoys it,” Menell said.

Eventually Menell saw that the petrol gauge was on zero and they drove to a garage.

“As the guy was filling it he looks up. He says: ‘Aw. Aw. Mandela. Yoh!’.” Within minutes the car was surrounded by at least 50 Mandela supporters.

“I was desperately trying to pay the bill,” Menell said.

While he was stressing, Mandela happily greeted those around him.

caryn.dolley@inl.co.za

Cape Times

A Stellenbosch man is to go on trial for murdering his son and the boy’s grandmother after he allegedly petrol-bombed their home.

Cape Town -

A Stellenbosch man is to go on trial in the Western Cape High Court for murdering his eight-year-old son and the boy’s grandmother after he allegedly petrol-bombed their home four days before Christmas last year.

Ettiene Meyer appeared in the high court for the first time last Thursday for a pre-trial hearing. His trial is expected to start next year.

It is the State’s case that Meyer threw a petrol bomb into the home of Aletta Adams, where she, her daughter Anthea, and her grandson Alex were sleeping in the early hours of December 21.

Anthea and Alex lived with her mother in Dalhia Street in Idas Valley after her relationship with Meyer turned sour. He lived with his grandmother, Silvie Meyer, in the same area.

The State intends to prosecute Meyer for a number of offences that led to last year’s attack.

It is alleged Meyer assaulted a young relative and her mother during an argument with his grandmother on July 8, 2011.

On October 24 last year, Meyer allegedly stabbed a man named Donovan Erasmus because Anthea went to visit him. Erasmus was stabbed twice in the chest but Adams managed to escape. Two months later, round 11pm, Meyer followed Adams home and allegedly tried to stab her. She fled to her mother’s house.

Meyer has not yet pleaded to nine charges including malicious damage to property, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, attempted murder and murder.

jade.otto@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

During his term as president Nelson Mandela dramatically, and irrevocably, changed SA’s political and governance landscape.

Cape Town - When President Nelson Mandela bid Parliament farewell on March 26, 1999, he described the national legislature, and its provincial counterparts, as “the instruments that have been fashioned to create a better life for all”.

“It is here that oversight of government has been exercised. It is here that our society with all its formations has had an opportunity to influence policy and its implementation,” he told parliamentarians that day, saying the first democratically elected MPs had “ensured this Parliament is not a rubber stamp in the hands of government, and have given birth to a new democratic, political culture”.

And Mandela, who had walked into the House five years earlier accompanied by then deputy presidents Thabo Mbeki and FW de Klerk, added: “For my part, I wish to say that it has been a profound privilege to be accountable to this Parliament. Though there is sadness in leave taking, I am filled with contentment by the sounds of voices that I have heard in the many debates that I have attended in this National Assembly, in the Senate and in its successor, the National Council of Provinces.”

Former Speaker Frene Ginwala, the first woman in that position, remembered Mandela’s instruction that there could be no disruptions as the ANC viewed Parliament as a key institution. It was to be run in the same inclusive way as the negotiations for the democratic transition and it had to be democratic, open and inclusive - a people’s Parliament.

“Mr Mandela himself had a great deal of respect for Parliament... he would come and attend (as a visitor as he resigned his seat on being elected president). He would occasionally send a note to me, saying he’d like to speak. I told him he didn’t have to ask permission,” Ginwala said.

Parliament under Mandela’s presidency from 1994 to 1999 dramatically, and irrevocably, changed South Africa’s political and governance landscape - and itself.

Among the first institutional changes was to have proceedings televised. And in the spirit of reconciliation, the front benches were reserved for party political leaders.

“If people could see their leaders sitting there, they could then start to buy in,” said Ginwala.

Until 1994, the national legislature sat for only six months a year and all its committees worked behind closed doors. Only select white staff had permanent contracts. After 1994, Parliament’s work in both committees and plenary sittings was opened to the public, rules were revised and visitors were welcome - as were trade unions.

As the 490 parliamentarians rolled up their sleeves to get rid of old apartheid laws and pass laws to establish a legislative framework for the democratic South Africa - the national legislature passed an average of 100 laws a year during its first term - work also started on the constitution.

In a gargantuan effort, and unprecedented public consultations, the final text of what then constitutional assembly chairman Cyril Ramaphosa described as “the birth certificate of the nation” was adopted in October 1996.

On December 10, after the Constitutional Court approved it, Mandela signed the constitution into effect.

“In writing the words which today become South Africa’s fundamental law, our elected representatives have faithfully heard the voice of the people,” he said at the signing ceremony in Sharpeville.

Like many MPs, comrades who became “Honourables”, but also longtimers, described the times of the first Parliament as exciting, incredible and transformative. “It was exciting. We had not seen Parliament before - from the outside, yes, but not from inside,” recalls Max Sisulu, today the Speaker, but who arrived in 1994 as MP.

Veteran ANC MP Professor Ben Turok said it was “absolutely amazing”. One felt present at history, he said. Mandela was a unifier. “Whenever he spoke in the House, everybody was behind him. There was no heckling, no nasty comments. That brought people together in a way that is, perhaps, absent now.”

Former Democratic Party, later DA, chief whip Douglas Gibson, also a former ambassador to Thailand, said the five-year period from 1994 was the hardest he had ever worked. “That was a transformative term of Parliament. We passed masses of legislation that radically altered South Africa... I found it hugely stimulating and satisfying. That period is the best period I’ve had in my whole political life.”

Former serjeant-at-arms Godfrey Cleinwerck announced Mandela’s first arrival in the National Assembly in 1994 and, having served under six presidents, said there were many, welcomed changes: “It was more stiff and more formal (previously)... hand-clapping and singing were all new to us.”

Cleinwerck also led Mandela, waving to the public gallery, from the House after his March 1999 farewell.

Saying his goodbyes Mandela told Parliament that day: “Look at the work of the committees that have scrutinised legislation and improved it... given the public insight and oversight of government as never before. A record which we can be proud of.”

Cape Argus

Reckless speeding is being tackled head-on on one of the Cape’s most notorious roads.

Reckless speeding is being tackled head-on on one of the Cape’s most notorious roads, often described as a “road of death”.

The Western Cape’s fourth “speed-over-distance” system has been launched to snare those who break the law this summer.

Siphesihle Dube, spokesman for Transport MEC Robin Carlisle, explained that the Average Speed Over Distance system calculated and then determined the time it took a vehicle to travel from the first camera to a second camera.

“Reaching point B (the second camera) in a time shorter than that determined by the distance and the speed limit, means that the driver was speeding,” he said.

The first of these systems was introduced in October 2011.

It covered 71.6km of the R61 from Beaufort West to Aberdeen. The second became operational in December 2012 on the N1 from Beaufort West to Three Sisters, covering 31.7km.

The third was switched on in October this year, over 57.2km of the R27 on the West Coast - and now the fourth installation runs between Beaufort West to Laingsburg, covering 190.6km.

Dube said the previous three had seen “a substantial decrease in road fatalities”.

Carlisle said: “This fourth phase of the project means that a total of 351.1km of the province’s deadliest roads are now covered by the average speed over distance camera enforcement system.

“What were previously notorious stretches of road for speeding and road deaths are now seeing more compliance with speed limits, and less deaths; fatalities on the stretches covered by this system, have decreased.” - Cape Argus

The Robben Island Museum has lit a candle at the prison cell where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his imprisonment, it said.

Cape Town - The Robben Island Museum has lit a candle at the prison cell where former president Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his imprisonment, it said on Monday.

“A candle is placed at cell number five,” museum CEO Sibongiseni Mkhize said in a statement.

“In the courtyard where they [the political prisoners] used to break stones, a space is allocated for people who would like to drop flowers.”

Mkhize said people were invited to pay tribute to Mandela by sending flowers and signing a condolences register at the gateway building, on the ferry, or on the island itself.

A memorial service would be held on Tuesday morning at the gateway building at the Cape Town Waterfront.

The public was invited to join the Robben Island council and staff in the commemoration.

“It remains our collective moral responsibility to live the legacy of Tata Nelson Mandela,” he said.

Mandela died at his home in Johannesburg on Thursday. His official memorial is in Johannesburg on Tuesday, and he will be buried in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, where he grew up, on Sunday. - Sapa

MPs carrying red roses wrote messages on a canvas draped over one of the walls leading to the National Assembly.

Cape Town - A steady stream of people moved through the parliamentary precinct on Monday, paying their respects to the country's first democratically-elected president.

Several buildings, including the National Assembly building, were draped in massive banners in tribute to former president Nelson Mandela.

Recordings of Mandela's voice could be heard reverberating through the precinct, the sound coming from speakers and a big screen erected outside the building.

The footage is of Mandela's speeches in the House while he was president from 1994 to 1999.

MPs, each carrying a single red rose, wrote messages of condolence on a canvas draped over one of the long walls leading to the Assembly building entrance.

However, some of the messages were washed away by a sudden, unexpected downpour on Monday morning.

Those which remain tell the stories of people who were touched by the life and death of Mandela

“Heaven has gained a special warrior. God Bless Madiba. Love, Imelda,” was written in blue.

Another message read: “The people of Burundi remember Nelson Mandela on August 28, 2000, in Tanzania (Arusha) for reaching a peace agreement for Burundi.”

Children came with their parents to remember Mandela. The children, all born after the end of apartheid, said they were learning about him in school.

Primary school pupil Kauthar Adams said some of her history lessons in school centred on Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi this year.

“When it was apartheid, I wasn't born, but I would like to see what Mandela went through in that time and how it was on Robben Island,” she said.

“He went through lots of stuff in apartheid and I'd just like to know why did he fight for justice and why did he want everyone's life to be the same?” she said.

A joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces is scheduled to start at 2pm to pay tribute to Mandela. - Sapa

Thandi Maqubela has been refused bail pending her sentence for the murder of her husband acting judge Patrick Maqubela.

Cape Town - The Western Cape High Court has refused to grant bail to Thandi Maqubela, pending her sentence for the murder of her husband acting judge Patrick Maqubela.

“I declined the request, as I considered it not in the interests of justice,” Judge John Murphy said on Monday. The case was postponed until February 17.

Maqubela is awaiting sentence for premeditated murder, fraud, and forgery.

Her husband Patrick Maqubela was found dead on his bed in his apartment in Sea Point on June 5, 2009.

She was convicted of the murder and of forging his signature on a document purporting to be his will and fraudulently presented the false will to the office of the Master of the High Court, a division of the justice department dealing with deceased estates.

Murphy said Thandi Maqubela was out on bail for longer than two years prior to and during the course of her trial, but that he refused to extend bail after she was convicted.

In a fresh application for bail, she had failed to persuade the court there were substantial and compelling circumstances justifying her release on bail, and that her release on bail was in the interests of justice.

Murphy said the court had to take into account Maqubela's conviction for three serious offences, and the sentence likely to be imposed.

He said the court was bound by a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that courts hesitate in granting bail after conviction.

He said Maqubela, in her application, relied on an affidavit setting out the grounds on which the application was based, but that she had not testified.

One of the grounds was that she believed she had a reasonable prospect of success if she chose to appeal after being sentenced.

Another ground was the difficulties experienced in adequately consulting her counsel in a prison environment.

Murphy said the court agreed with prosecutor Bonnie Currie-Gamwo that special arrangements could be made with the prison authorities for Maqubela to consult in a more suitable environment, even if this required the court’s assistance.

Murphy said Maqubela had not taken the court into her confidence as to the exact state of her financial resources.

“The court does not have a clear and full picture of this,” he said.

The State’s case against Maqubela had been based on circumstantial evidence, but the evidence had nevertheless been compelling.

“The accused has not satisfied the court that it will be in the interests of justice to release her on bail. For this reason, her application falls to be dismissed.”

Sapa

The heckling and howling of many a National Assembly sitting was notably absent as MPs paid tribute to Nelson Mandela.

Parliament, Cape Town - The heckling and howling which characterises many a National Assembly sitting was notably absent on Monday, as MPs paid tribute to former president Nelson Mandela.

Both the Assembly benches and the public gallery above were packed to capacity when Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe took to the podium to open the tributary speeches.

Mandela's grandson Ndaba Mandela represented his family at the sitting.

The younger Mandela was seen with his right hand placed over his heart when the national anthem was sung Ä something his grandfather was prone to do.

Others merely stood with both hand at their sides, or with their fingers intertwined.

Motlanthe was followed by various of his political opponents in paying tribute to Mandela.

Free public gallery tickets for the sitting had been quickly snapped up, and many people had to be turned away.

Women dressed in white, Mandela T-shirts secured seats. ANC Women's League colours were also prominent in the gallery.

Outside the Assembly building, a steady stream of people moved through the parliamentary precinct, paying their respects to the country's first democratically-elected president.

Several buildings, including the National Assembly building, were draped in massive banners in tribute to Mandela.

Recordings of Mandela's speeches in the House while he was president from 1994 to 1999 reverberated through the precinct, the sound coming from speakers and a big screen erected outside the building.

MPs, each carrying a single red rose, wrote messages of condolence on a canvas draped over one of the long walls leading to the Assembly building entrance.

However, some of the messages were washed away by a sudden, unexpected downpour on Monday morning.

Those which remain tell the stories of people who were touched by the life and death of Mandela.

“Heaven has gained a special warrior. God Bless Madiba. Love, Imelda,” was written in blue.

Another message read: “The people of Burundi remember Nelson Mandela on August 28, 2000, in Tanzania (Arusha) for reaching a peace agreement for Burundi.”

Children came with their parents to remember Mandela.

The children, all born after the end of apartheid, said they were learning about him in school.

Primary school pupil Kauthar Adams said some of her history lessons in school centred on Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi this year.

“When it was apartheid, I wasn't born, but I would like to see what Mandela went through in that time and how it was on Robben Island,” she said.

“He went through lots of stuff in apartheid and I'd just like to know why did he fight for justice and why did he want everyone's life to be the same?”

Sapa

In a rare move, the National Assembly erupted in song after Cope MP Dennis Bloem broke with protocol.

Parliament - In a rare move, the National Assembly erupted in song after Cope MP Dennis Bloem broke with protocol.

The Congress of the People MP started singing during his tribute speech to former president Nelson Mandela.

“Rolihlahla, freedom is in your hands,” he sang, using Mandela's middle name.

People responded with the words “Mandela, Mandela”, but were cut short by Speaker Max Sisulu who called the House to order.

Bloem lifted his hands to his head in a military salute, with many others in the gallery following suit. The National Assembly started emptying out somewhat as the special sitting drew to an end.

Prior to the singing, the House was mostly quiet as MPs and premiers made their speeches.

The heckling and howling which characterises many a National Assembly sitting was notably absent.

Both the Assembly benches and the public gallery above were packed to capacity when Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe took to the podium to open the tributary speeches.

Mandela's grandson Ndaba Mandela represented his family at the sitting.

The younger Mandela placed his right hand over his heart when the national anthem was sung - something his grandfather did.

Others merely stood with both hand at their sides, or with their fingers intertwined.

Motlanthe was followed by various of his political opponents in paying tribute to Mandela.

Earlier, free public gallery tickets for the sitting were snapped up, and many had to be turned away.

Women dressed in white Mandela T-shirts secured seats. ANC Women's League colours were also prominent in the gallery.

Outside the Assembly building, a steady stream of people moved through the parliamentary precinct, paying their respects to the country's first democratically-elected president.

Several buildings, including the National Assembly, were draped in massive banners in tribute to Mandela.

Recordings of Mandela's speeches in the House while he was president from 1994 to 1999 reverberated through the precinct, the sound coming from speakers and a big screen erected outside the building.

MPs, each carrying a single red rose, wrote messages of condolence on a canvas draped over one of the long walls leading to the Assembly building entrance. Some of the messages were washed away by an unexpected downpour on Monday morning.

Those which remain tell the stories of people who were touched by the life and death of Mandela.

“Heaven has gained a special warrior. God Bless Madiba. Love, Imelda,” was written in blue.

Another message read: “The people of Burundi remember Nelson Mandela on August 28, 2000, in Tanzania (Arusha) for reaching a peace agreement for Burundi.”

Children came with their parents to remember Mandela. The children, all born after the end of apartheid, said they were learning about him in school.

Primary school pupil Kauthar Adams said some of her history lessons in school this year had focused on Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.

“When it was apartheid, I wasn't born, but I would like to see what Mandela went through in that time and how it was on Robben Island,” she said.

“He went through lots of stuff in apartheid and I'd just like to know why did he fight for justice and why did he want everyone's life to be the same?”

Sapa

Leeuwenhof staffers Anna Friesley and Ragel Leukes remember the day Nelson Mandela came to stay.

Cape Town - While the world mourns Nelson Mandela’s passing in grand gesture, possibly the smallest, most humble shrine is in Cape Town.

Before Mandela gave his first historic address to Parliament, for the first time as president, on May 25, he spent the night at Leeuwenhof - then the official residence of Kobus Meiring, the outgoing Administrator of the Cape.

The room in which he slept has since been named the “Madiba Room” - and remains untouched, complete with the original bed linen and furnishings.

Since his death, a small candle has burned constantly in the room, “which is now a shrine to Madiba”, Premier Helen Zille explained.

Visiting the room on Sunday were two women - the only remaining staffers at Leeuwenhof who served Mandela on that day.

“He was very polite,” remembered Anna Friesley. “I served him breakfast. He had juice and porridge.”

Ragel Leukes recalled: “While he was at breakfast, I went up to his room. It smelled of Zambuk, I remember. And I wanted to make his bed, but he had made it already… He was such a nice guy!”

The room’s desk, Zille explained, was possibly where Mandela had worked that night on matters which would impact greatly upon South Africa.

Among his most famous words in Parliament that next day were: “We must construct that people-centred society of freedom in such a manner that it guarantees the political liberties and the human rights of all our citizens.”

* Zambuk is a topical ointment used to provide relief from aches, pains and bruises.

Cape Argus

Dr Iqbal Surve says there is "not a shred of evidence" to allegations that Cape Times editor Alide Dasnois was fired.

There was “not a shred of evidence” to allegations that Cape Times editor Alide Dasnois was fired, INMSA Executive Chairman Iqbal Surve said on Monday. Danois was offered alternative strategic positions within the group and she was still considering these, he said.

Surve said that following a regional strategic meeting in Cape Town last week a decision had been taken to make a number of changes to the various print Cape Town titles run by the group. “The decision to make changes at the Cape Times is in line with our medium term plans to ensure that Independent is competitive and ensures the sustainability of the business and the security of its employees.”

Surve said that Danois was offered alternative positions that the executive team believed would best suit her. “I have given her time to consider theses options,” he said. “She is a valuable member of our team.”

Surve said that Danois was not the only change made at Independent's Cape titles. Other changes included apointing Chris Whitfield as group executive in charge of launching new regional and national titles, Aneez Sallie was appointed Cape Times deputy editor alongside Gasant Abarder who is now the Cape Times editor.

These changes, he said, were part of the overall process of change and had nothing to do with the publication by the Cape Times of the findings by the Public Protector against a government minister in awarding a tender to one of the companies in the Sekunjalo Group.

A number of media groups on Monday called for answers regarding the changes at the Cape Times. The Cape Town Press Club said that “if Ms Dasnois was in fact fired for her paper's publishing of a story that painted Sekunjalo in a bad light, this is an unabashed attack on journalistic independence.”

On Sunday, the Mail&Guardian reported that Dasnois was informed of her removal on Friday, and that Monday's edition of the newspaper would be edited by Western Cape group editor Chris Whitfield.

In a statement earlier in the day the South African Editor's Forum (Sanef) said: “Sanef condemns any interference with the independence of editors and journalists when carrying out their duties. We call on Sekunjalo Holdings to clarify the issues relating to Dasnois's sudden dismissal without delay and to desist from making threats against the staffers.”

The Cape Town Press Club called on Sekunjalo to reinstate Dasnois immediately with a full apology.

“We note that Sekunjalo has also approached the Press Ombudsman in this regard. This should have been their first port of call, instead of firing Ms Dasnois.”

A live screening of Parliament’s Nelson Mandela tribute in Darling Street was poorly attended, with only a handful of people braving the scorching heat.

Cape Town - A chorus of “Madiba is my president” rang out across the Grand Parade, in Cape Town, on Monday, where the special parliamentary sitting for former president Nelson Mandela was being screened.

A group of 30 women sang and danced across the open area, towards the big screen in front of the City Hall.

They formed a circle, sang struggle songs and held up a few pamphlets with a picture of Mandela's beaming face.

Two street performers, dressed in glittering attire, joined in the festivities by linking hands and waltzing around. A woman in the group, 28-year-old Nyanga resident Unathi Rweqana, said they decided to honour Mandela after finishing work at a nearby shopping centre.

Mandela died at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Thursday night, at the age of 95.

“We love Tata and all the things he has done for us,” said Rweqana.

“I was at home sleeping and I saw everyone on the social networks saying Tata is dead... and I went to switch on the TV. It was just so sad.”

A live screening in Darling Street was poorly attended, with only a handful of people braving the scorching heat. About 50

people sought shelter under palm trees, on the Grand Parade, facing the balcony where Mandela made his first public speech after being released from prison in 1990.

Closer to the hall, a small but steady stream of people placed flowers and mementoes against a steel barrier. A breeze carried the strong aroma of dying flowers.

One of the spectators was Kenyan Tommy Dairy, 31, who first visited South Africa 10 years ago and fell in love with the country.

“I know our father too much and I know his history. We have good memories so we are very pained,” he said.

“Madiba is the father of all of us, everyone in Africa. He has already shown a lot of love and peace for us.”

Solly Mohamed, 71, lit a candle near the barrier and placed colourful streamers and a card around it. He had tears in his eyes as he spoke of his personal encounters with Mandela during apartheid.

“At night, the lawyers would come and take us out and he was a sweet person... He never pushed you away. He would take you and speak to you,” Mohamed said.

“The candle is going to give him light in heaven.”

Graham Molyneux, 41, said he and his wife Lindy had brought their two children to the tribute area so they could appreciate the country's history and understand the sacrifices that had been made for them.

“Under the apartheid era I had lots of privileges and I didn't fully appreciate what he'd done for me and other white people,” he said.

“When he was released, it kind of gave me a whole new perspective on who he was and what being South African meant.”

Their children, nine-year-old Max and six-year-old Emily, had been given the “Long Walk to Freedom” children's book and had also been told other stories about the struggle against apartheid.

Emily said Mandela had been sent to prison after he bombed buildings and later became a president.

“He brought black and white people together.... My friend is Kanye and he's got brown skin.”

About 100m from the screening area, a woman held shirts with Mandela's face, a few South African flags, and posters with a holographic image that switches between Mandela and president Jacob Zuma.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said business in the area had been slow, despite the foot traffic leading to nearby minibus taxi, train and bus ranks.

“I don't know what, but I think the love for uTata just faded away,” she said.

Sapa

During a joint sitting of the National Assembly to honour Madiba, parliamentarians raised their voices in song.

Cape Town - Struggle song Nelson Mandela, There is None Like You reverberated through the National Assembly on Monday after parliamentarians had concluded a special joint sitting to honour Madiba.

Earlier, Cope MP Dennis Bloem who, dispensing with a more formal tribute, took to a struggle song – “Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, freedom is in your hands, show us the way to freedom” – and got fellow parliamentarians on their feet to join in.

Speaker Max Sisulu’s injunction “Thank you, this is a beautiful song… Return to your seat” was ignored as Bloem extended condolences: “We salute you, our commander-in-chief.”

It was the first break in the, until then, solemn proceedings.

An emotional Justice Minister Jeff Radebe, who served as public works minister in Mandela’s cabinet, also turned protocol on its head, directly addressing his tribute to Tata Mandela because “although he has passed on, his spirit moves in this House”.

Radebe’s voice faltered when he quoted Whitney Houston song I Look To You, saying it must have been referring to the example Mandela set for all.

“Although you were ours in the ANC, there are many who have claimed you as their own hero too,” continued Radebe, saying Mandela, and others, never wavered in the resolve not only in South Africa’s freedom struggle, but for those oppressed worldwide.

Radebe, who accompanied Mandela to cast his first vote at Inanda’s Ohlange High School, KwaZulu-Natal, said he also calmed the fears and trepidation of serving in his first cabinet: “You comforted us all by stating that we were equal to the task because you, too, had never been president before.”

Mandela could have chosen a life of comfort, ease and taken advantage of the “golden spoons and gilded existence” that comes with being from royalty. Instead he chose to lead South Africa.

“Your long walk to freedom has not ended. It is just a passing of an era. We pick up your spear to continue your long walk towards the economic emancipation of all… ” said Radebe. “The world will never be the same… As a nation we keep on walking.”

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said:

“Nelson Mandela’s dream (of unity, nation building, non-racism, non-sexism) did not end with the 1994 democratic breakthrough in our country. Nor has it ended with his passing.”

“The litmus test, however, is whether inheritors of his dream, heirs to his vision and adherents of his philosophy, will be able to make the dream for which he lived come to pass in the fullness of time.”

Western Cape Premier and DA leader Helen Zille called on every one : not to drop Mandela’s baton”.

“The best tribute we can pay Madiba is to ensure that our political debate focuses on issues of how best we can ensure that each South African child, whatever their circumstances of their birth, inherits freedom they can use.”

Speaking mostly in seSotho, Cope founder and former ANC defence minister and National Council of Provinces chairman Mosiuoa Lekota said: “We must now face our future without this individual.”

IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who referred to the often troublesome relationship between his party and the ANC in the early 1990s, paid tribute to Mandela’s honesty and leadership: “As we continue to write the story of South Africa, let us be inspired by Mandela’s legacy. Let us remember his passion for reconciliation , his capacity for forgiveness and his bold leadership. Let us also remember his honesty.”

United Democratic Movement MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa said Mandela’s death was an opportunity to reflect on the progress made and the distance South Africa covered, particularly with regards to his values of tolerance and humility.

“It should remind us that our hard-won liberty is built on a contrasting tale of men at their most evil and most heroic, and where, like everything else in life, the good emerged victorious over the bad. This is one victory that we must never betray or squander,” said Kwankwa.

Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder said “dignity in adversity” would perhaps best describe Mandela, before recalling how Madiba telephoned his home, not to speak with him, but to congratulate his daughter on a university recognition.

In a similarly personal reflection, DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said she had never met Mandela, but remembered watching as a 9-year-old how her father for the first time expressed himself politically and in public by raising his fist in the air to greet Mandela who had arrived for the February 1990 rally in Durban.

“Because of the violence and political strife in my home province, my father would never live to see the dawn of our democracy, or cast his vote in a free election – that moment remains indelibly etched in my memory and on my heart,” said Mazibuko.

Cape Argus

The City of Cape Town says metro cop seeking redress after alleged harassment by a female colleague is a calculated liar.

Cape Town - The City of Cape Town says a high-ranking metro police officer seeking redress from the Equality Court after alleged harassment by a female colleague is a calculated liar, The Times reported on Tuesday.

Richard Bosman, the city's executive director of safety and security, said the officer had been at loggerheads with the female officer - who was acting as senior superintendent at the time - about overtime pay.

He said things reached a tipping point during a meeting in July.

“The meeting continued for several hours when suddenly (the male officer told his female colleague) that he had previously thought of filing sexual harassment charges against her,” Bosman said in court papers.

He said there was no basis for the officer's complaint and the court would be asked to dismiss the case with costs.

The case would be heard on January 8.

The 39-year-old superintendent accused the city of failing to protect him from the officer, of the same rank, who allegedly made sexually provocative remarks and once stroked his thigh.

The man reportedly said he launched the legal action as a last resort after his managers did not take his complaints seriously. - Sapa

Desperate to confirm their old-age grant, a Cape Town couple waited outside a Sassa facility all night, for nothing.

Cape Town -

An elderly couple who wanted to make sure their old-age grant was in order hobbled to the facility in Wynberg where they spent the night.

Elizabeth Francis, 65, and David Martin, 68, were the first two in the queue at the William Herbert sports complex in Wynberg on Monday.

On Sunday afternoon the two had walked for about two kilometres – aided by sticks – from their home in Ottery to the complex. They arrived outside the gate in Wynberg at 5pm.

They sat on blankets in Rosmead Avenue until 9pm, when the facility manager Andrew Julies allowed them inside, fearing for their safety.

“We didn’t sleep at all. We kept looking out for skollies in the road. But we were fine,” said Francis.

Several hours later they heard that the much maligned old-age grant review process has been scrapped – for now.

Dr Waldemar Terblanche, SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) regional manager, said it was decided at the weekend to suspend the process until the financial year end on March 31.

This was a blow to Francis and Martin, who had spent 15 hours in line. “This whole thing just made us sick. I don’t want to see or hear from Sassa for a while now,” said Francis.

Terblanche said the re-registration process – which applied to all pensioners – had been completed. The review process was needed to assess yearly whether those who received added income still qualified for the grant, and for the same amount.

As of June, there were 262 218 grant recipients in the Western Cape.

Thousands of people across the city received letters saying that they had three months to appear for review, or their pensions would be suspended.

“There was a lot of confusion with the reviews and re-registration. This resulted in high volumes of people turning up, and it was more than we could manage with our resources,” said Terblanche.

He says the review policy will be reworked at a national level, and amendments made to make the system more manageable.

On Sunday afternoon, staff were sent text messages saying that the process had been suspended. But the message had not been communicated to everyone – including pensioners – in time.

On Monday the Cape Argus joined pensioners queuing. By 4am, the hall held about 200 people, with seating for only 120. At 5am, the queue snaked outside the building. At 6.30am, the head count was 475. People stood in the sun, many without water or food. Confusion reigned about how many people would be seen, and how many would have to come back again.

Somaya Jacobs, 64, and her husband Abubaker, 65, said it was their third attempt at getting reviewed, and complained that they had been sent from pillar to post – a sentiment echoed by many of the pensioners. The couple arrived just before midnight to secure third and fourth place in the queue.

Social Development MEC Albert Fritz visited the Elsies River centre and found similar scenes of hundreds of people standing in queues. They too had camped out from the night before.

“It’s unacceptable that this is how our old people are treated. It indicates complete incompetence. Sassa needs to come up with a better system,” said Fritz.

esther.lewis@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

When Marlene van Wyk, 75, had a heart attack and was rushed to hospital, she spent five days waiting on a hospital bed.

Cape Town - When Marlene van Wyk, 75, had a heart attack in her Strand home last week, her family got her to the Helderberg Hospital as soon as they could.

They never anticipated that she would spend another five days without a hospital bed.

Van Wyk who fell ill on Wednesday night spent a total of 23 hours sitting on the hard benches in the hospital’s trauma unit over two days before she was given a stretcher, which she lay in for five days, until on Monday.

She was only given a proper bed following questions to the provincial Department of Health by the Cape Argus.

Now her daughter, Liesle van Wyk, has lodged a formal complaint against the hospital alleging its critical shortage of beds not only resulted in poor treatment of her mother, but failure to allocate her a bed amounted to indecent treatment of the elderly.

Sithembiso Magubane, spokesman for the provincial Department of Health, confirmed that Van Wyk had been placed on a trolley as the hospital was experiencing huge patient load.

“(This) was the only option at the time as the whole hospital was exceptionally busier than usual at this time of the year,” Magubane said.

He, however, denied that Van Wyk had suffered a heart attack, “but rather has heart failure”, which had to be treated in a district level hospital. But Liesle van Wyk, who had to travel from Napier to see her mother, was not convinced.

“My mother was very sick. Her blood pressure and sugar were rocketing. Doctors struggled for hours to bring her blood pressure under control.

“You would think that someone who is that sick and old would be given priority, but no she was made to wait on the hard benches just like others,” she said.

She commended ambulance staff for their prompt response when called to take her mother to hospital, but blamed the hospital management for the critical shortage of beds.

The shortage of beds at the Somerset West hospital is not new. A year ago the hospital came under fire after Marius Gerber, of Somerset West, had to sleep in his car after he suffered a heart attack.

He was given a bed 48 hours later after his wife Mariette contacted the media.

On Thursday, Magubane said Van Wyk was due to be evaluated by a family physician as a priority, and “will be admitted to a ward shortly”.

Liesle van Wyk later confirmed that her mother had been given a bed.

“I just spoke to her she is happy for the first time. I just don’t know why I had to go through extreme measures to get proper attention.

“Why do you have to fight to get attention?” she asked.

sipokazi.fokazi@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Few Capetonians made their way to the Grand Parade to view the live screening of Nelson Mandela's memorial service.

Cape Town - Few Capetonians made their way to the Grand Parade in the city centre on Tuesday morning to view the live screening of former president Nelson Mandela's memorial service.

However, a stream of people passing the venue placed flowers or took photographs of the event.

There was a large security presence, including soldiers, police and metro police officers.

Earlier, the SA Police Service led a ceremonial parade in front of City Hall, below the balcony where Madiba made his first speech as a free man.

The city has planned a tribute for Mandela on Wednesday evening at the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point. - Sapa

Capetonians have flocked to secure places at Wednesday’s concert at Cape Town Stadium – snapping up 53 000 coupons by last night.

Cape Town - Capetonians have flocked to secure places at Wednesday’s concert at Cape Town Stadium – snapping up 53 000 coupons by last night.

The City of Cape Town had made available five free coupons per person at a variety of points and spokeswoman Priya Reddy confirmed this morning there were none left by around 9pm.

“It’s incredible,” Reddy said.

Last night, around 2 000 mourners gathered at a community event in Khayelitsha. And on Tuesday, essentially “Day Five” since Mandela died, saw central Cape Town filled with images and sound from the memorial service at the massive FNB Stadium in Soweto, which was due to start at 11am.

After the event, a variety of live performers were due to take the stage at the Grand Parade, most notably Jimmy Dludlu.

Mourners will be able to use Greenpoint’s Fan Walk, which runs from Buitengracht Street along Somerset Road towards the stadium, dubbed “The Walk of Remembrance” in honour of Mandela.

Further into this week, a community event is planned for Atlantis on Thursday night, and a night vigil will be held at the Grand Parade through Saturday night, until the finale, the funeral in Qunu on Sunday.

Robben Island Museum will be closed on Sunday.

Chief Executive Sibongiseni Mkhize told the Cape Argus: “It has been extremely difficult to continue operating, business as usual, since he died. We will be closed on Sunday, out of respect.”

Mkhize said tourists had been placing flowers outside Mandela’s cell.

“We also have a condolences book, for people to sign.

“We have been fully booked, with three ferries operating, taking around 1 000 visitors a day – but we are always fully-booked at this time of year. It’s always difficult to get a ticket until around January 15.”

Cape Argus