#NelsonMandela: First photos from the memorial service in honour of Madiba

 

by Oge Okonkwo Tens of thousands of people together with world leaders are currently gathered at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa at the memorial service for the late legend, anti-apartheid icon and former South Africa president, Nelson Mandela. The service is currently being showed live at three “overflow” stadiums. Some photos below: US President Barack Obama is welcomed by a huge cheer from the crowd as he begins his speech, in which he describes Mr Mandela as a “giant of history”, adding: “The world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us.”

John Simpson, the BBC’s World Affairs Editor said: “Despite the difficulties – the driving rain and logistical challenges – of organising this event, it must remain a source of immense pride for South Africans that a memorial for one of their own has attracted such an array of world dignitaries.”

Those attending the service include US President Barack Obama, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Cuban President Raul Castro, French President Francois Hollande and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Nelson Mandela’s widow Graca Machel listens to the tributes including that by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon who said: “Mandela hated hatred. Not the people. He showed wholesome power of forgiveness. A unique gift.”

Outside the stadium a man prepares to sell portraits of Mr Mandela.

The heavy rain continued as deputy president of the ANC Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the crowd and welcomes those in the stadium and those watching around South Africa and around the world. He said: “In our tradition, when it rains when you are buried, your gods are welcoming you to heaven.”

Flags and banners are waved as the memorial gets underway just over an hour late.

There were cheers of “Winnie! Winnie!” for ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as she makes her way to her seat inside the stadium.

South Africa’s Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, a leading figure in the struggle against apartheid earlier said of Mandela: “He was a unifier from the moment he walked out of prison. We are relieved that his suffering is over, but our relief is drowned by our grief.”

Since Mandela’s death, Johannesburg has been blanketed in unseasonal cloud and rain but despite this the atmosphere inside the stadium is one of joy and celebration.

As the time for the ceremony to start draws near some of the dignitaries arrive, including South Africa’s last white president FW De Klerk with his wife Elita.

Mr Mandela’s successor as president, Thabo Mbeki arrives with his wife Zanele.

Alongside the politicians a number of figures from the world of entertainment are attending the ceremony, including U2′s lead singer Bono and South African actress Charlize Theron.

The former South African president died aged 95 last Thursday and the country is observing a series of commemorations leading up to the funeral on Sunday.

The BBC’s Clive Myrie is outside the stadium and said: “A trickle of people are still arriving on buses, but the stadium is still only half full – it is torrential rain out here and I’m sure that it is affecting the number of people arriving. The “spillover” areas are said to be empty.”

The ceremony is being broadcast across the world, with many in South Africa tuning in.

The memorial service is expected to last four hours.

The service is being seen as a celebration of the life of Nelson Mandela with the crowd singing and chanting as they arrive inside the stadium.

A mourner poses with his home-made hat as he arrives at the stadium.

Plastic sheeting is removed from chairs on the main stage. More than 90 current heads of state or government are expected to attend.

The crowds are in high spirits – singing and dancing and stomping their feet.

For some the long wait is too much.

Pictures of Mandela are everywhere, on banners, flags and even tattoos.

The BBC’s Pumza Fihlani reported that hundreds had formed queues outside by 05:00 eager to get one of the 95,000 seats.

The country is observing a series of commemorations leading up to the funeral on Sunday.

 

 

 

 

Iyanya returns with his 3rd official single titled Flavour off his upcoming album. I can see this song connecting with the masses and going on to be a success with the right amount of promo. Listen, Download and Share your thoughts. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.2012/11/09/premiere-iyanya-flavour/

Iyanya returns with his 3rd official single titled Flavour off his upcoming album.
I can see this song connecting with the masses and going on to be a success with the right amount of promo.
Listen, Download and Share your thoughts.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

2012/11/13/video-wizkid-performs-love-my-baby-1xtra-live-2012/

Last night, at the 1Xtra Live 2012 Concert organised by BBC in London, Wizkid was a lead act alongside the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Trey Songz. Wiz’s set was too live, as you can see from the video below. Sure Star Boy!
*O.O*

You might also like:

• VIDEO: Wizkid on Tim Westwood (Interview)
• VIDEO: Wande Coal UK Arrival + BBC 1xtra Interview with P-Square (Road To Love Afrobeats Festival – DAY 3 )
• VIDEO: D’banj Performance @ BBC Radio 1′S Hackney Weekend 2012

features/ music

Here is the snippet of Nicki’s single featuring and produced by Nigeria’s own Parker Ighile which Notjustok told you about here first. You can listen to the 30 second snippet below and watch Nicki Minaj ask Lil Wayne to jump on Hell Yeah. You can also hear Parker singing the hook in the video as well to give you an idea of what the song will sound like.
Look out for the full track which you can cop when the album drops on November 19 and the Video to Parker’s So Beautiful single.
Parker’s sound is fresh and refreshing though.
Follow @parkerighile on Twitter

Rihanna has posed naked for GQ magazine, with only a leather jacket protecting her modesty.She graces the front cover of the publication's Men of the Year December issue, showing off her curves and new goddess Isis tattoo under her breasts. The jacket is strategically draped over her shoulders, preventing the full exposure of her boobs, while her hands cover the rest of her body. During an interview with the magazine, Rihanna was asked what turns her on, to which she replied: "I like to feel like a woman. "I have to be in control in every other aspect of my life, so I feel like in a relationship, like I wanted to be able to take a step back and have somebody else take the lead." Despite appearing to push the boundaries when it comes to her sexuality, the 24-year old was keen to add that even she knows when to stop, stating: "Love makes you go places you probably wouldn't ever go, had it not been for love. "But I think everybody still has their limits."She graces the front cover of the publication's Men of the Year December issue, showing off her curves and new goddess Isis tattoo under her breasts. The jacket is strategically draped over her shoulders, preventing the full exposure of her boobs, while her hands cover the rest of her body. During an interview with the magazine, Rihanna was asked what turns her on, to which she replied: "I like to feel like a woman. "I have to be in control in every other aspect of my life, so I feel like in a relationship, like I wanted to be able to take a step back and have somebody else take the lead." Despite appearing to push the boundaries when it comes to her sexuality, the 24-year old was keen to add that even she knows when to stop, stating: "Love makes you go places you probably wouldn't ever go, had it not been for love. "But I think everybody still has their limits."She graces the front cover of the publication's Men of the Year December issue, showing off her curves and new goddess Isis tattoo under her breasts. The jacket is strategically draped over her shoulders, preventing the full exposure of her boobs, while her hands cover the rest of her body. During an interview with the magazine, Rihanna was asked what turns her on, to which she replied: "I like to feel like a woman. "I have to be in control in every other aspect of my life, so I feel like in a relationship, like I wanted to be able to take a step back and have somebody else take the lead." Despite appearing to push the boundaries when it comes to her sexuality, the 24-year old was keen to add that even she knows when to stop, stating: "Love makes you go places you probably wouldn't ever go, had it not been for love. "But I think everybody still has their limits."She graces the front cover of the publication's Men of the Year December issue, showing off her curves and new goddess Isis tattoo under her breasts. The jacket is strategically draped over her shoulders, preventing the full exposure of her boobs, while her hands cover the rest of her body. During an interview with the magazine, Rihanna was asked what turns her on, to which she replied: "I like to feel like a woman. "I have to be in control in every other aspect of my life, so I feel like in a relationship, like I wanted to be able to take a step back and have somebody else take the lead." Despite appearing to push the boundaries when it comes to her sexuality, the 24-year old was keen to add that even she knows when to stop, stating: "Love makes you go places you probably wouldn't ever go, had it not been for love. "But I think everybody still has their limits."She graces the front cover of the publication's Men of the Year December issue, showing off her curves and new goddess Isis tattoo under her breasts. The jacket is strategically draped over her shoulders, preventing the full exposure of her boobs, while her hands cover the rest of her body. During an interview with the magazine, Rihanna was asked what turns her on, to which she replied: "I like to feel like a woman. "I have to be in control in every other aspect of my life, so I feel like in a relationship, like I wanted to be able to take a step back and have somebody else take the lead." Despite appearing to push the boundaries when it comes to her sexuality, the 24-year old was keen to add that even she knows when to stop, stating: "Love makes you go places you probably wouldn't ever go, had it not been for love. "But I think everybody still has their limits."She graces the front cover of the publication's Men of the Year December issue, showing off her curves and new goddess Isis tattoo under her breasts. The jacket is strategically draped over her shoulders, preventing the full exposure of her boobs, while her hands cover the rest of her body. During an interview with the magazine, Rihanna was asked what turns her on, to which she replied: "I like to feel like a woman. "I have to be in control in every other aspect of my life, so I feel like in a relationship, like I wanted to be able to take a step back and have somebody else take the lead." Despite appearing to push the boundaries when it comes to her sexuality, the 24-year old was keen to add that even she knows when to stop, stating: "Love makes you go places you probably wouldn't ever go, had it not been for love. "But I think everybody still has their limits."

She graces the front cover of the publication's Men of the Year December issue, showing off her curves and new goddess Isis tattoo under her breasts.
The jacket is strategically draped over her shoulders, preventing the full exposure of her boobs, while her hands cover the rest of her body.

During an interview with the magazine, Rihanna was asked what turns her on, to which she replied: "I like to feel like a woman.
"I have to be in control in every other aspect of my life, so I feel like in a relationship, like I wanted to be able to take a step back and have somebody else take the lead."
Despite appearing to push the boundaries when it comes to her sexuality, the 24-year old was keen to add that even she knows when to stop, stating: "Love makes you go places you probably wouldn't ever go, had it not been for love.
"But I think everybody still has their limits."

Nollywood Actress, Nkiru Sylvanus Loses Appointment As Special Adviser To Governor Rochas Okorocha

A lot of eyebrows were raised, when the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, appointed Nollywood actress, Nkiru Sylvanus, as his special assistant on Lagos Matters. photo Well, that appointment has been terminated. According to blogger Linda Ikeji, who insisted she heard this from reliable sources, “The Abia state born actress had been battling several people since her appointment last year, who felt she didn’t deserve the position as a non-Imo state indigene and also because they felt the appointment was meaningless and unnecessary as they didn’t understand her job specification. “They also felt she got the appointment because of her ‘friendship’ with the governor and not because she knew anything about running a public office. These people worked tirelessly to get her out of government house, and if what I’m hearing is correct, they’ve succeeded.”

’ – Ice Prince I On A Carpet For One Year

10 November, 2012

Local

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Rising hip-hop artiste, Panshak Zamani, popularly known as Ice Prince has said that his vision for the music industry is to see it grow and get to the point where his name will be mentioned all over the world.

He said his vision was to make African music attractive to international artistes where they will not be able to resist it.

In a chat with Showtime, Ice Prince noted that the industry is fast growing with the likes of D’banj whose music is being played on London radio. He said that as artistes, their primary duty is to create and produce quality music for their fans

According to him, the industry is sensitive and therefore, it is important that everybody strives to make a different by taking the dream to the next level in years to come.

On how he rose to the top, he said, “It was a long journey of hustle and bustle. A journey that took me out of Jos where I grew up to Lagos wasn’t a easy one. It was hard for me to settle down. I hustled, I had to sleep on the carpet for one year.

“At a point I stayed with Gini and squatted with MI. It was pretty rough but I thank God for what and who I am today. Those challenges I see as molecules that formed me.

“Every year is a blessing for me and to add another year makes me great. Although, I am feeling like I am getting older but I’m blessed because all my birthdays have been amazing.

“When I was a kid, my parents used to celebrate my birthday and now that I am mature my friends always do something special for me on my birthday. Last year, it was celebrated in Abuja with the likes of 2face and this year, we are celebrating it in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt”, he said.