T&T flags to fly at half mast to honour Nelson Mandela

The Triniidad and Tobago national flag will fly at half mast on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week as a mark of respect for the late Nelson Mandela, the first black South African President, who died last Thursday in Johannesburg.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has asked Minister of National Security, Gary Griffith, to ensure that the flag is flown at half mast on all Government buildings and at schools throughout the country.

On Tuesday, there will be a memorial service in Johannesburg to pay tribute to one of South Africa's greatest son. On Wednesday, there will be a public viewing of Mandela's body.

Griffith has invoked Article 10 of the Flag Protocol, which states that the National Flag is to be flown at half mast on the day of the death and funeral.

Persad-Bissessar left Trinidad at 11 am Monday to attend the memorial service in Johannesburg. A special Caribbean Airlines charter is taking the T&T delegation to Rio de Janeiro where the aircraft will be refuelled before its onward journey to South Africa.

The delegation arrives in Johannesburg at 6 am on Tuesday (South Africa time).

Minister of Local Government Marlene Coudray will act as PM during Persad-Bissessar's absence.