Members of the public pay last respects to founding President Mancham |13 January 2017

Mourners, sympathisers and acquaintances gathered at the Palais des Sports yesterday morning to pay their last respects to Seychelles’ founding President James Richard Mancham (KBE).

The body of Sir James lay in State at that sports complex to enable members of the public to have a chance to pay their last respects to the man who has been described as the ‘Apostle of Peace and National Reconciliation’.

While there, the casket remained closed while one of his sons received the tributes of sympathisers.

Sir James passed away peacefully in his sleep last Sunday at his Glacis-sur-Mer residence at the age of 77.

The religious service was held by Deacon Louis Agathine and animated by Angel’s Choir. In his sermon, Deacon Agathine paid tribute to the good deeds of the former president and also made special mention of his relentless call for unity and national reconciliation.

“We are all gathered here to pay tribute to a former president. God we pray for James whom we have loved. The souvenir we have of Sir James is someone who promoted peace,” he said.

He reminded all present of Jesus Christ’s message to his disciples: “Peace be with them”, which Deacon Agathine said means peace in our life and peace in our heart.

He chose the song ‘Make me a channel of your peace’ to better illustrate his message, a hymn that was sung twice at the Palais des Sports to spread the message of peace across – something the late Sir James always advocated for.

From Palais des Sports, the casket was transported to State House where it lay in State for members of the family, close friends, dignitaries and invitees to pay their last respects.

Family members had a last private moment with Sir James before dignitaries and other invitees paid their tribute. The latter included President Danny Faure, former presidents Albert Rene and James Michel, Vice-President Vincent Meriton, former Vice-President Joseph Belmont, ministers and other high government officials; members of the National Assembly, of the defence forces and of the judiciary; Attorney General; secretary of states; commissioner of police; members of the diplomatic corps and of other religious faiths, to name some.

Shortly before 2pm the casket left State House for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for the funeral service.

Sir James’ final resting place was at the State House cemetery.

Former presidents Michel (photo above) and Rene expressing their condolences to Sir James’ wife Lady Catherine