Ceremony in Milwaukee on Sunday to remember Nelson Mandela



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- With military pomp and traditional rituals, South Africa buried Nelson Mandela on Sunday, December 15th -- the end of an exceptional journey for the prisoner turned president who transformed the nation. Mandela was laid to rest in his childhood village of Qunu. Here in Milwaukee, anti-apartheid activists from Milwaukee gathered for one last tribute.

Mandela's funeral and Sunday's burial marks the end of 10 days of mourning.

Mandela died on December 5th at the age of 95.

Milwaukee's "Free South Africa Coalition" had a big following in the 1980s.

"Some of the old timers from the 80s said we gotta do this. We gotta pay tribute to Mandela for all that he sacrificed -- for all the tremendous dignity, love and respect that he taught the world," Brian Verdin said.

The service in Milwaukee included the lighting of candles, prayers and traditional music.