More than 90 heads of state are on their way to South Africa for what is expected to be the largest gathering of world leaders in Africa’s history.
It’s a clear sign of what kind of impact Nelson Mandela left on the world.
Mandela, the activist who spent 27 years in prison before becoming his country’s first black president, died Thursday at the age of 95.
U.S. President Barack Obama heads to Johannesburg on Monday for Mandela’s official memorial service, which will take place Tuesday in the city’s soccer stadium. But the 90,000 seats probably won’t be enough to house the many mourners wanting to pay thanks to the great anti-apartheid leader.
A state funeral will be held Sunday in Mandela’s ancestral hometown of Qunu in the Eastern Cape province.
At least 91 heads of state and 10 former heads of state have said they’re coming to South Africa this week, government international relations spokesman Clayson Monyela said.
In addition to Obama, former presidents Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush and President Bill Clinton will attend. More than two dozen U.S. lawmakers are also scheduled to attend, CNN informs.
Other guests include the Prince of Wales, British Prime Minister David Cameron and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, as well as celebrities such as Bono, Oprah Winfrey and Naomi Campbell.
Out of the public eye, friends who had not seen each other in years have been coming together with Mandela’s family in his home, said Zelda la Grange, Mandela’s longtime personal assistant.
