Peruvian prisoners hold vigil for Mandela

2013-12-14 60

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Prisoners at the Miguel Castro Castro prison in Lima, Peru held a candlelight vigil for Nelson Mandela on Friday (December 13).

They said they wanted to honour one of the world's most famous inmates, who held on to his principles during his 27 years behind bars.

The ceremony included songs and poetry.

One of the inmates at the Lima prison is South African Martin Dean Bell, who said: "God, bless Madiba. Thank you for all the changes you have done."

The prison director said Mandela was a universal citizen, who was neither just South African, a prisoner, or a president. He was an example of humanity, Director Luis Guadalupe said.

Mandela will be buried at a state funeral on Sunday in his ancestral home in Qunu, south of Johannesburg.