Mandela’s body arrives in Pretoria for viewing
Unclear whether casket will be open; will lie in state 3 days leading to Sunday burial in ancestral hometown of Qunu
Unclear whether casket will be open; will lie in state 3 days leading to Sunday burial in ancestral hometown of Qunu
The apartheid regime Nelson Mandela fought to overturn often resorted to violent extremes to protect its power.
A CBS News report nearly three decades ago exposed one brutal government tactic, leading to the prompt expulsion of correspondent Allen Pizzey and two other CBS News employees.
The report provoked outrage around the world. Pizzey looks back now on the “Trojan horse.” Watch the report here: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/south-africas-deadly-trojan-horse
The white South African regime often accused the foreign media of instigating the violence that was filmed when I was reporting from the country in 1985.
But on Oct. 15 of that year, two CBS News camera crews would capture a police operation that no one except the perpetrators could possibly have known about in advance.
When cameraman Chris Everson and soundman Nick della Casa arrived in Thornton Road in a mixed-race suburb outside Cape Town, there was no more violence than usual. But it would escalate into an event that many said did more damage to the South African regime’s international image than all the other coverage combined.
“There was a bunch of kids standing on the street corner, probably about 30 strong. Clearly there had been some incidents already. There were signs that vehicles had been stoned. There was glass on the streets. And not wanting to be part of the scene, we set ourselves well back from it,” Everson said.
Just up the road but out of sight, CBS cameraman Wim de Vos and sound recordist Anton van der Merwe — no strangers to police harassment — arrived at the scene.
“It wasn’t violent at that point when I arrived but I could see the rocks in their hands,” de Vos said. “I wasn’t that far away from them and I thought, ‘Uh-oh, there comes trouble.’ ”
Everson had the same gut feeling.
“It was a flatbed vehicle with boxes on the back. And I filmed the truck as it went down the road away from me, toward the group of kids on the corner,” he said.
Then the truck turned around and came back.
“As it approached the kids, three or four stones hit the windscreen,” Everson said.
“And as they did so, there were several policemen in the back of the truck hiding in boxes. And they popped up,” de Vos said.
One stunned youngster froze and watched the horror unfold.
Back in 1985, we had had no idea that the police had labeled their operation “Ghost Vehicle.” When I wrote the story that day, I called it a deadly Trojan horse.
Three kids were killed — the youngest was 11 years old — and 12 were injured, among them two children who were hit in their own homes.
“The strange thing was, you know, at that time we didn’t even realize the importance of what we had just photographed,” Everson said.
And neither did the police. When they finally forced the camera crews to leave the area, they failed to confiscate the videotapes — and the damage was done.
“Of course it was one of those very ugly, very ugly events that did us a lot of harm,” said Roleof “Pik” Botha, who was South Africa’s foreign minister at the time.
“It was extremely harmful for us in foreign affairs because that increased the negative reaction overseas and effected an expanding economic sanctions against South Africa,” he said.
Worldwide condemnation of South Africa was almost immediate and so was the white government’s reaction.
Within days of the shooting, the state of emergency was expanded and journalists were prohibited from filming any incident of police violence under the threat of 10 years of imprisonment.
“What was new about this event was that there was a camera there,” Everson said. ”These events, these killings, this police brutality — this happened all the time in South Africa.”
Thornton Road today is a far cry from what it was like 28 ago, except for a steel memorial — a grim reminder of the day three young South Africans were gunned down from that deadly Trojan horse.
Final Resting Place
A spot just perfect
Sitting on a hill
So I can watch over all those I came to love
A view of the skyline
Surrounded by a lively garden
Only the sound of the birds and insects
And the voices of my visitors
I will remain here silently
Watching you
Remembering you
As you honor me
and remember me
As you have pride in me
I have pride in you
I hope I’ve left a mark
Both in your heart and on your heart
My only hope is that years from now
All I’ve done
And all I was
Will carry on
And inspire others
To continue
What I can no longer do
While I lay here
In my final resting place
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Final Resting Place
was written in memory of the late and great Nelson Mandela
There is no way to capture all that he was, all that he did and all that he leaves behind
I am however certain, that no matter where he is, he will always know that he was loved and admired by many.
Carry on Nelson Mandela. You will be forever a part of us all.
Written by Felina Silver Robinson on December 10, 2013
Jay Z led the Grammy nominations on Friday with nine, while newcomer rap duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and rapper Kendrick Lamar were among a group of young performers who took many of the major nominations.
Macklemore and Lewis’ gay marriage anthem “Same Love” was among song of the year nominees and the Seattle rap duo joined Lamar with seven nominations apiece, including best album and best new artist of the year. Pharrell Williams had four major nominations among his seven and Justin Timberlake also had seven.
Macklemore and Lewis dominated a nominations TV special broadcast live on CBS from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles that also included performances by nominees Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Lorde and Robin Thicke. They opened the show with a colorful, high-energy version of their hit “Thrift Shop,” featuring Wanz, and immediately picked up a song of the year nomination for “Same Love.”
Two nominations later, Ben Haggerty, the rapper known as Macklemore, was noting it was a “very surreal moment,” during an on-air interview with host LL Cool J. “It’s like we’re not supposed to be here, but we’re here with LL Cool J.”
Recording Academy favorites Timberlake and Jay Z teamed up for two nominations apiece, but they only had one major nomination between them this year and that came for Jay Z’s participation on Lamar’s album of the year nominee “good kid, m.A.A.d city” instead of his own “Magna Carta … Holy Grail.”
Perry said of “Roar” in an emotional moment before a pre-taped performance: “I didn’t think that it would take on such a life of its own, and so I hope that the song has inspired you guys and it will bring out that kind of self-strength that you need a little bit to go through your days when they get a little bit hard.”
Other performances came from Lorde, Keith Urban and Miguel, Swift (who sang “I Knew You Were Trouble” in a pre-taped performance from Australia) and Robin Thicke, who closed the show with “Blurred Lines” with the help of rapper T.I. and members of Earth, Wind and Fire.
Nominees for pop duo/group performance and country album were also announced during the live special, by presenters including Sheeran, Enrique Iglesias and Melissa Etheridge.Jay Z and Timberlake teamed for two nominations: best rap/sung collaboration for Jay Z’s “Holy Grail” and best video entry “Suit & Tie.” Jay Z is competing against himself in the rap/sung category with “Part II (On the Run),” featuring his wife, Beyonce, which is also nominated. And he’s up for best rap performance for “Tom Ford.” He also grabbed a best music video nomination for “Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film” and again teamed with Timberlake in that category for their video for “Suit & Tie.”
Timberlake picked up a handful of nominations in pop categories, including pop vocal album of the year for “The 20/20 Experience.” Other nominees in that category include Lana Del Rey’s “Paradise,” Lorde’s “Pure Heroine,” Mars’ “Unorthodox Jukebox” and Thicke’s “Blurred Lines.”
“The Heist,” ”good kid” and “Magna Carta” are also on the best rap album list with Drake’s “Nothing Was the Same” and Kanye West’s “Yeezus,” which was mostly shut out of the nominations. West also got a nomination for best rap song for “New Slaves.”
There were six rock album of the year nominations, meaning there was a tie in the category. Nominees were Black Sabbath’s “13,” David Bowie’s “Next Day,” Kings of Leon’s “Mechanical Bull,” Led Zeppelin live album “Celebration Day,” Queens of the Stone Age’s “… Like Clockwork” and Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s “Psychdelic Pill.”
Swift’s “Red” is up for country album of the year with Jason Aldean’s “Night Train,” Tim McGraw’s “Two Lanes of Freedom,” Blake Shelton’s “Based on a True Story …,” and Musgraves’ “Same Trailer Different Park.” The country newcomer also faces herself in the country song of the year category where she helped pen her own “Merry Go ‘Round” and Miranda Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart.”
The major nominations were an acknowledgement of 2013’s top hit-makers. “Get Lucky,” ”Blurred Lines” and “Royals” took turns ruling the pop radio airwaves this year. Macklemore and Lewis had two hits — “Same Love” and “Thrift Shop” — that led to nominations.
And Lamar seemed like he was everywhere, managing to keep his profile high with a number of hits, guest appearances and moments of bravado that helped voters forget his album came out 14 months ago. Lamar called himself the greatest rapper in the game earlier this year, calling out Drake and several others in verse, and voters mostly backed him up.
West may have suffered the most from the large hauls of Lamar and Macklemore and Lewis. His “Yeezus” is already making many year-end lists, but had no hits and spawned controversy among some listeners. Others who might consider themselves snubbed are 2013’s most visible country stars Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line, who were both shut out.
Friday’s broadcast also included a tribute to Nelson Mandela, who died Thursday at the age of 95.”Mr. Mandela taught us what a difference one person can make,” LL Cool J said. “May this brave man rest in peace.”
The 56th annual Grammy Awards on CBS will take place on Sunday, Jan. 26, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, left, meets Zindzi Mandela, right, the daughter of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, as they attend the Royal Film Performance of; “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” at the Odeon Leicester Square, London
LONDON – People attending the London premiere of a new film about Nelson Mandela were told of his death Thursday night as the closing credits rolled.
The news broke during the premiere. Stopping the screening of “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” was discussed, but Mandela’s daughters asked that the film continue, a spokesman with the production said Thursday night.
His two youngest daughters, who were at the premiere, were told of their father’s death during the screening “and immediately left the cinema,” a statement from the Nelson Mandela Foundation said.
The film’s producer, Anant Singh, announced Mandela’s death once the film was over, and he called for a moment of silence.
The audience included the film’s stars and Prince William and his wife, Kate.
“It was extremely sad and tragic news,” William said upon leaving.
When asked on the red carpet on her way into the premiere about her father, Zindzi Mandela had said, “My father is fine. … He’s just a typical 95-year-old who is frail.”
Actor Idris Elba, who plays Mandela in the film, later said in a statement: “I am stunned at this very moment, in mourning with the rest of the world and Madiba’s family. We have lost one of the greatest human beings to have walked this earth; I only feel honored to be associated with him.”
Many South Africans called Mandela by his clan name, Madiba, which means “reconciler,” as a token of affection and respect.
Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner, has died. During his long life, Mandela inspired countless individuals. Here is a collection of quotes that personify his spirit:
1) “Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.”
2) “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
TIMELINE: The life of Nelson Mandela
ON MANDELA: ‘Everyone was in awe of him’
3) “If I had my time over I would do the same again. So would any man who dares call himself a man.”
4) “I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.”
5) “Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”
6) “A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.”
7) “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”
8) “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
PHOTOS: Nelson Mandela through the years
9) “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
10) “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
11) “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”
12) “Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.”
13) “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
14) “I hate race discrimination most intensely and in all its manifestations. I have fought it all during my life; I fight it now, and will do so until the end of my days.”
15) “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”
Goodbye Nelson Mandella
Through the eyes of a great man
I saw endless possibilities
I saw hope for the future
I saw that we can all get along
I saw that there is no battle that should not be fought
This great man fought all good causes
He would be jailed to earn your trust and your rights
He would give all his food to the hungry,
He would go hungry in a show of support
He hurt when you hurt
But didn’t know pain
He had a heart of gold
and the soul of a saint
What will we do now with out him here
We will carry on
We must carry on
We will carry him with us always
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a true leader
But mostly for being you
—————————————————-
Goodbye Nelson Mandela was written by
Felina Silver Robinson on 12/05/13
Former South African President and anti-apartheid revolutionary hero Nelson Mandela has died at his Johannesburg home. He was 95.
Nelson Mandela
Former South African President and anti-apartheid revolutionary hero Nelson Mandela has died at his Johannesburg home. He was 95.
He had returned home on September 1 in a critical condition after being in a Pretoria hospital for almost three months – the fourth time he had been admitted to hospital since December. He had battled a series of lung infections and respiratory illnesses in the past few years.
Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison after being found guilty of being sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow his country’s government before being released in 1990, became South Africa’s first democratically elected president, holding office from 1994 to 1999.
One of the world’s most famous people, he has long been a figurehead for racial unification, following his efforts to heal his own country after centuries of division.
News of his death has prompted an outpouring of grief from all corners of the world.
Mandela had a history of lung problems, after falling ill with tuberculosis in 1988 toward the tail-end of his prison term before his release and subsequent presidency.
While doctors said at the time the disease caused no permanent damage to his lungs, medical experts say tuberculosis can cause problems years later for those infected.
The Nobel laureate had an acute respiratory infection in January 2011.
Following the chaos that surrounded his stay at a public hospital then, the South African military took charge of his care and the government took over control of the information about his health. It released little, mostly saying early in his last hospital stay that he was in a “serious but stable condition”, but in late June it said he was “critical but stable”. In July the government denied that he was in a vegetative after a lawyer for some of his family told a court his life support system should be shut off.
AN EVERLASTING LEGACY:
Mandela was one of the most revered leaders of the 20th century and his legacy will forever be the abolition of apartheid in South Africa.
The man endearingly known throughout South Africa as Madiba – his Xhosa clan name, which literally translates to grandfather – cemented his place in history when he became the first democratically elected president – black or white.
As a founder of Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), which was the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), Mandela was a militant anti-apartheid activist from a young age.
He was sentenced to life in prison after being charged and convicted of sabotage in 1962.
Left to the mercy of the prison guards in a white supremacist South Africa, his release 27 years later in 1990 set in motion the cogs of an anti-apartheid movement that had the backing of much of the world.
His release was all the more astonishing for a total lack of animosity toward his captors. In a speech on the day of his release, Mandela quoted his own words, which he spoke at his trial in 1962:
“I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.
“It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
Four years later apartheid in South Africa had ended and in 1995 Mandela became the first elected president – ending the irony behind the name the Republic of South Africa.
His presidency was spent building what his inaugural address called a “rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world”.
As the ANC party under Mandela began to dismantle the racial divide, his attention turned to the issue of HIV/AIDS, which according to the World Health Organisation, affects about 6.5 million people in South Africa.
But the crusade was more personal for Mandela, who lost his eldest son in 2005 to the disease at the age of 54.
After his departure from politics, Mandela also sought to step away from the public eye with appearances in recent years becoming fewer and farther between.
His last public appearance was in 2010 when South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup.
President Nelson Mandela, right, with Louis Lyte, centre, before the start of the 1995 world cup.
Nelson Mandela released from hospital http://www.wcvb.com/news/national/Nelson-Mandela-released-from-hospital/-/9848944/21738128/-/cg6h2y/-/index.html?absolute=true via @WCVB