South Africans of all races flocked to houses of worship for a national day of prayer and reflection to honour Nelson Mandela, unified in their love for a historic figure whose funeral is expected to be one of the biggest in modern times.
At the Regina Mundi Church that was near the epicentre of the Soweto township uprising in 1976 against white rule, Father Sebastian J. Rossouw described Mandela as “moonlight,” saying he offered a guiding light for South Africa. Hundreds of people attended the Mass. “Madiba did not doubt the light,” Rossouw said. “He paved the way for a better future, but he cannot do it alone.”
During the service, worshippers offered special prayers for the anti-apartheid leader and lit a candle in his honour in front of the altar. Off to the side of the sanctuary was a black and white photo of Mandela, who died on Thursday at age 95.
