PM Simpson Miller to attend Mandela memorial in South Africa

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff reporter



Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has been invited to be among world leaders at a special memorial for Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa on December 10.



Jamaica has a long history with Mandela and was the first country to declare a trade embargo against South Africa as part of the international campaign against apartheid.



The relationship between the countries endured during Mandela’s years of fight on the political and racial battlefields and it was no surprise that Jamaica was one of the first countries he visited following his release from prison.



The Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives, Phillip Paulwell, says the Prime Minister will return to Jamaica on December 12.



Paulwell says on Friday, December 13 there will be a special joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament to allow Members of Parliament and Senators to pay tribute to the former South African President.



Today, South African President Jacob Zuma announced that the anti-apartheid icon will be buried on December 15 at his rural home in Qunu in a state funeral.



He says Mandela's body will lie in state at government buildings in Pretoria from Wednesday, December 11, until the burial.



This Sunday, December 8, will be a national day of prayer and reflection.



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