Nelson Mandela’s Family Makes First Statement Since His Death (DETAILS)

Nelson Mandela‘s family have made their first statement since his death. The legend’s loved ones held a press conference outside Mandela’s home. They said:

“We have lost a great man, a son of the soil.”

The statement goes on:

“The pillar of our family is gone, just as he was away during that 27 painful years of imprisonment, but in our hearts and souls he will always be with us,”

Adding:

“His spirit endures. As a family we commit ourselves to uphold and be guided by the values he lived for and was prepared to die for,”

As for the funeral service, a memorial is set to take place next week Tuesday and a planned service is scheduled for December 15th.

Officials say they expect tens of thousands to participate at the memorial service.

Huffington Post reports:

Official services honoring Mandela begin Tuesday with a major memorial planned at FNB Stadium on the edge of Johannesburg’s Soweto township. Government Minister Collins Chabane told journalists Saturday he expects massive crowds far beyond what the stadium’s normal 95,000-person capacity could hold. He said there would be “overflow” areas set up.

President Barack Obama along with his two predecessors, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, have indicated they will attend services in South Africa honoring Mandela.

Mandela’s body won’t be at the stadium event Tuesday, however his body will rest in state Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the seat of government power in South Africa’s capital.

The site reports:

Mourners will walk up the steps into the Union Buildings’ amphitheater and file past Mandela’s body, Chabane said. Authorities blocked visitors from visiting the amphitheater Saturday. Chabane said he didn’t know yet whether it would be an open- or closed-casket viewing.

Mandela’s body will be held overnight those days at a military hospital on Pretoria’s outskirts, Chabane said. He called on residents to line the streets to serve as an honor guard as Mandela’s body will pass twice each day.

We continue to celebrate Mandela’s life and send our condolence’s to the legend’s loved ones.

Source: huffington post