A memorial service was organised on Wednesday at the Yaounde Conference Centre.

Cameroon’s who-is-who turned out yesterday, December 11, 2013 at the Yaounde Conference Centre to celebrate the life and time of former South African President, Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at the age of 95.

Among the leading personalities at the event were Senate President, Marcel Niat Njifenji, National Assembly Speaker, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, the Prime Minister and Head of Government, Philemon Yang and the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM Secretary General, Jean Nkuete. Others were cabinet ministers, senators, parliamentarians, diplomats and traditional and religious dignitaries.

Speaking at the occasion, the host and organiser, the South African High Commissioner to Cameroon, Her Excellency Zanele Makina, said the late anti-Apartheid icon is celebrated the world over not necessarily because he spent 27 years in prison, but because he forgave those who threw him into jail. She recalled that the setting up by Mandela of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, TRC instead of opting for Nuremberg-style trials, helped in healing the wounds of Apartheid. This explains why the TRC has been replicated in other countries, she added.

Nelson Mandela, the High Commissioner maintained, laid the foundation that has enabled South Africans to enjoy improved livelihoods today. He downplayed the messianic status attributed to him, insisting that the victory over Apartheid was the result of collective efforts, the envoy explained. Earlier in the struggle, the African National Congress, ANC, released The Freedom Charter - banned by the white minority government - that insisted that South Africa belongs to all its people, she pointed out. The late President, according to Zanele Makina, stood out because he refused to compromise his personal freedom and that of his people.

Also speaking at the service, the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Piero Pioppo, said South Africa’s first black President was a man of peace and uncommon human nature that touched the lives of many and succeeded in reconciling his country with itself. He said the worldwide condolences following the news of his death were deserved. The Papal representative then went on to read out Pope Francis’ condolence message to President Jacob Zuma on the death of Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

The representative of traditional rulers, His Majesty, Senator Mama Jean Marie, said the death of a respected statesman like Nelson Mandela is a rare moment of celebration in Bantu culture that entails the carrying out of traditional rites. He recited lines of the rites in Eton language before handing over an ‘ophoo’ or traditional leaf to High Commissioner Makina as evidence of the performance of the rites.

The memorial service also received an opening prayer by the Chief Imam of the Yaounde Central Mosque, Cheick Ibrahim Moussa. The event was compered by the eminent Professor of International Relations, Jean Emmanuel Pondi.