Locals Continue to Gather at Embassy to Mourn Mandela

Washington, D.C. residents continued to visit the Embassy of South Africa on Friday in reaction to the death of Nelson Mandela, leaving more flowers at the foot of the first South African president's statue. 

During the day, the embassy opened for the signing of condolence books that will be sent to Mandela's family. Two books had been filled by 2 p.m. on Friday. 

Mourners who stood in the rain outside of the embassy were part of a steady stream of people drawn to the statue after the news of Nelson Mandela's death on Thursday. 

Friday's crowd included a group of elementary students from a nearby elementary school. 

Washington resident Emanuel Tamen, who visited the embassy Thursday night, said he didn't know what to do after hearing the news of Mandela's death, so he just started walking.

“When I heard the news, I wasn’t sure what to do, and I thought there’s an embassy a close walking distance,” Tamen said. “I just felt it was the place to be.”

Once at the embassy, Tamen joined others who had gathered in the rain where a flag flapped at half-mast to mourn the anti-apartheid champion.

“I thought it would be a good place to feel the moment,” Tamen said. 

Mandela passed away at 95 after struggling for months with a lung infection.

On Friday, the embassy opened its doors for a signing of a “book of condolence” in memory of the world figure. It will remain open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. until Tuesday.