The Embassy of South Africa unveiled a nine-foot bronze statue of Nelson Mandela in September. Photograph by Flickr user Ted Eytan.
With the world mourning the death yesterday of former South Africa President Nelson Mandela, Washington residents will have many opportutnities in the coming days to pay their own respects. The DC government and Embassy of South Africa announced today a weeklong remembrance of Mandela.
Mourners were quick to gather at the embassy last night on Massachusetts Ave., Northwest, as news of Mandela’s death broke. A fence erected around the embassy while it undergoes renovations is being rolled back to accomodate nightly candlelight vigils from tonight through next Thursday. Additionally, DC Mayor Vince Gray said today that the District government will leave a condolence book open in the foyer of the John A. Wilson Building starting Monday.
On Wednesday at 11 AM, the National Cathedral will hold a service in Mandela’s memory. Speakers for the service are still being arranged, but it should be a packed event. “I don’t know if you can get the entire country into the Cathedral, but we’re going to find a way to make sure Mandela’s memory is not lost in this city,” Gray said.
Mandela made several visits to Washington, and his public appearances always gathered massive crowds. He spoke to 19,000 people at the Washington Convention Center in June 1990, shortly after the end of his 27-year prison term. During a 1994 visit, Mandela drew 15,000 people to Howard University for a 20-minute address capped with a reading the William Ernest Henley poem “Invictus.”
Watch Mandela’s Howard University speech in two parts.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
DC Will Mourn Nelson Mandela With Week of Tributes
Plus, watch Mandela's 1994 speech at Howard University.
With the world mourning the death yesterday of former South Africa President Nelson Mandela, Washington residents will have many opportutnities in the coming days to pay their own respects. The DC government and Embassy of South Africa announced today a weeklong remembrance of Mandela.
Mourners were quick to gather at the embassy last night on Massachusetts Ave., Northwest, as news of Mandela’s death broke. A fence erected around the embassy while it undergoes renovations is being rolled back to accomodate nightly candlelight vigils from tonight through next Thursday. Additionally, DC Mayor Vince Gray said today that the District government will leave a condolence book open in the foyer of the John A. Wilson Building starting Monday.
On Wednesday at 11 AM, the National Cathedral will hold a service in Mandela’s memory. Speakers for the service are still being arranged, but it should be a packed event. “I don’t know if you can get the entire country into the Cathedral, but we’re going to find a way to make sure Mandela’s memory is not lost in this city,” Gray said.
Mandela made several visits to Washington, and his public appearances always gathered massive crowds. He spoke to 19,000 people at the Washington Convention Center in June 1990, shortly after the end of his 27-year prison term. During a 1994 visit, Mandela drew 15,000 people to Howard University for a 20-minute address capped with a reading the William Ernest Henley poem “Invictus.”
Watch Mandela’s Howard University speech in two parts.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Introducing 8 of DC’s Most Stylish
Best of Washington 2023: Things to Eat, Drink, Do, and Know Right Now
Washingtonian Magazine
May 2024: Great Getaways
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
13 Major Concerts and Music Festivals in the DC Area This Spring
Mary Timony on Her Emotional New Album, “Untame the Tiger”
The Beatles in DC: A New Exhibit in Maryland Looks Back on Early Beatlemania
Northern Virginia High School Wins Metallica’s Marching Band Competition
More from News & Politics
3 New Memoirs by Prominent Women
Everything You Wanted to Know About Urban Bear Sightings but Were Afraid to Ask, Because Who Wants to Get That Close to a Bear?
Rockville Police Are Searching for Culprits of a $4,500 Pickleball Paddle Heist
Dozens of Vintage Planes Will Fly Over the National Mall This Saturday
PHOTOS: “Rupaul’s Drag Race” Queens Work It at the National Mall
Meet the NIH Detectives Cracking Medicine’s Toughest Cases
5 of DC’s Most Interesting Ideas for Revitalizing Chinatown
A “Corpse Flower” Is Currently in Bloom at the Botanic Garden