Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is planning to attend the funeral of former South African President Nelson Mandela.

“If logistics allow it, I will go,” Dr Muscat told The Malta Independent this morning.

The funeral arrangements are still to be announced.

Flags are flying half-mast at Castille.

In a statement, the government said. Nelson Mandela is a person who will long be remembered for his unique way of doing politics. His non-violent approach, inspired undoubtedly by another political giant who walked the streets of India, Mahatma Gandhi, disarmed and befuddled those who knew only aggression, domination, humiliation and exploitation.

With his determination, his humility, his simplicity, his foresight and above all with his charisma, he managed to dismantle the superiority, the intolerance, and the arrogance of those who knew no better.

Mandela showed the whole world that there are other avenues towards political solutions, besides the classical confrontational methods.

He has left an indelible mark on the history of South Africa, and provided politicians around the world with a template as to how to move from division and apartheid towards forgiveness, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence, the government said.

The Nationalist Party also paid tribute to Nelson Mandela, with a statement issued by leader Simon Busuttil.

"The world has today awoken to the loss of a great leader and a statesman. I am deeply saddened by the loss of Nelson Mandela. To me he was a symbol of freedom and unity. He was also a perfect gentleman. 

"Both in his struggle for the recognition of fundamental human rights and freedoms, and in the numerous campaigns and philanthropic work he embarked on after his presidency, Nelson Mandela preached reconciliation, civic duty and activism. He always sought the moral high ground.  

"Nelson Mandela continues to inspire people the world over to fight for a fairer society based on the values of freedom and justice," Dr Busuttil said.

 

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-12-05/news/nelson-mandela-south-africas-peacemaker-dies-3394174976/