Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane lit a candle bearing an image of the South African flag for former president Nelson Mandela at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, in Soweto, Johannesburg. As a child during the struggle years, she was among those who prayed at the church for Mandela's release from prison, she told the congregation. She said Mandela was a world icon, a father to Soweto and father to South Africa. The prayers were part of the Light a Candle of Hope campaign, which encourages people to show their support for Madiba by lighting a candle of hope for his recovery.
Mokonyane appealed to the media and the public to give the former president the respect he deserved.