Crowds gather for Qunu bash
2009-07-18 14:26
Johannesburg - Scores of people arrived in Qunu, the rural home of former president Nelson Mandela near Mthatha, to join in the celebration of his 91st birthday on Saturday.
Footage on SABC television showed buses lining the surrounding area at the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre, which comprises the second component of the Nelson Mandela museum. The other is in the city centre in Mthatha. Whistles and the sound of beating drums could be heard, as traditional dancers dressed in colourful outfits sang and danced.
Hundreds more people were expected to arrive, as celebrations would continue until midnight.
Tourists also flocked to the area to pay tribute to a man seen as a struggle hero around the world.
They walked through the centre looking at photographs of Mandela, those taken when he used to be a boxer and others taken after he was released from prison on Robben Island.
The area is best known to come alive during the festive season when Mandela hosts a children's Christmas party.
But, on Saturday, reminiscent of that time, Qunu came alive.
In what was as supposed to be a quiet day for Mandela, journalists from media houses camped outside Mandela's residence in Houghton in Johannesburg.
Photographs of Mandela have become quite scarce, as he has gone into retirement and makes very few public appearances.
- SAPA