Harawira to Attend Tangi of Nelson Mandela

Tuesday 10 December, 2013

Despite his exclusion from the official delegation, Hone Harawira, MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau will today depart for South Africa to attend the tangi of Nelson Mandela.

“I'm going there to pay my respects on behalf of the anti-tour movement of 1981 in particular, and all those others who marched against apartheid over the years and have supported Nelson Mandela in his drive for freedom,” said Harawira.

Although he won’t be involved in any of the official proceedings, Harawira insists that New Zealand’s representation at Nelson Mandela’s tangi requires individuals who are more reflective of what Mandela stood for.

“He was an icon of our age, a leader whose relentless struggle against oppression will never be forgotten. He rose above persecution to lead his nation. It shouldn’t be a surprise that those involved in his struggle want to attend his tangi.”

ENDS

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