This Proves Not All Africans Hated Queen Elizabeth II
The death of Queen Elizabeth II has reawakened the conversation on colonial crimes committed by Britain across Africa. Many prominent Africans have publicly said they were not going to mourn the late queen citing colonial-era atrocities the British forces committed under her watch.
However, not every African shares that sentiment. In the midst of the controversy, some Africans choose to remember her good memories. Consequently, we are seeing memorial services held in different African countries to honor the late Queen Elizabeth.
Memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is one of the countries where memorial service was held in honor of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The memorial service for the late monarch at the Anglican Church in Harare was officiated by Bishop Farai Mutamiri.
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“We think of you [Britons] and we will always have you in our prayers, especially the new king, King Charles III, and the people of the Commonwealth following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” said Bishop Mutamiri.
In attendance was a mixed population of Africans and foreigners. Also in attendance was the British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Melanie Robinson.
“We assemble in this beautiful cathedral to give thanks for the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” Robinson said. “It is right we do so in a sanctuary she held dear while alive”.
Memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II in Nigeria
Just like in Harare, a memorial service was held for the queen at the Cathedral of Advent in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja. Hundreds of mourners attended the service including the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing.
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The memorial service in honor of the late monarch was officiated by the Metropolitan Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Archbishop Dr. Henry Ndukuba. During the sermon, the archbishop praised the life of the late queen and prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul. The archbishop also extended his prayers to King Charles, asking for God to guide him to success.
Closures for the Queen’s funeral
The late monarch’s funeral is scheduled to hold on Monday 19 September 2022. Consequently, the British High Commission’s office in Nigeria has announced that the offices will be closed as the United Kingdom buries Queen Elizabeth II in London.
The announcement was made in the early hours of Friday 16 September 2022. However, the closure will not affect UK Application Centers in the country. It will likely be the same arrangement for all British High Commission offices across the globe.
Kenyan community opens a book of condolence
The extrajudicial killings of members of the Mau Mau Movement is one of the atrocities cited by some of those that refused to mourn Queen Elizabeth II. However, not every Kenyan feels that way. Club Soy residents in Kenya, where the Queen spent her honeymoon as a princess with Prince Philip, have opened a book of condolence for the Queen.
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Some of the residents also held pictures of the queen and her father King George VI. The director of Soy Club, Hassan Kosgei recalls that the queen spent two nights there. The queen visited Kenya in 1952 to visit the British tea growers.
After leaving Soy Club, she went on to stay at the renowned Treetops Hotel. It was there that she received the news of her father’s death. Many Africans are still showing their admiration for the Queen’s life through their actions.
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