A vigil for the former South African leader Nelson Mandela was held tonight at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Around 300 people, including children and former residents of South Africa, showed up with candles in their hands to say goodbye to an icon. People young and old listened to speeches and danced to celebrate his life and achievements.
One woman, a South African expat, brought her daughter to the vigil to teach her about how he fought to promote a message of peace and tolerance.
“I am South African. Nelson Mandela was a Saint and I want my kids to be proud of their heritage and to known about the great man that he was.”
An official week of mourning begins in South Africa on Sunday with a National Day of Prayer.
On Tuesday there will be a memorial service in a Johannesburg Stadium.
The province has also set up a website for people to share condolences online.
– With files from Catherine Urquhart
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