South Africa: and after Mandela?

euronews â€" That most impressed the image once you get there?

François Chignac, Special Envoy to South Africa â€" above all, the image of a huge communion. It is true that the country is in mourning, but this is a happy mourning. People are sad. They gather in the street, singing in a group dance, take photos, they embrace are in communion. Therefore, it is not at all a mourning sad, what we saw, for example, next to last House of Mandela, in Houghton. The police set up barriers to prevent cars from getting close enough (of the House) and even these grids are now covered with flowers. People are raising altars, surround us and leave messages. They sing and dance in this ultimate tribute to Mandela.

euronews-what people are saying on the street about the future? Admit that South Africa may have a before and an after death of Mandela? May, the disappearance of this symbol of democracy, weaken the country?

François Chignac, Special Envoy to South Africa â€" the situation in the country is far from being ideal. The youth unemployment rate is very high, about 25 percent, and the ruling party, the ANC (African National Congress), has been terribly criticized. It should be borne in mind here that in 2014, there will be elections and for a new generation, a generation that didn't live in Apartheid, which already will be able to vote. And, as far as I understand, they won't vote for the ANC, so what might happen after Mandela? There will be a man or woman who will continue to raise the flag of Mandela. But the doubts do not boil down to the South Africans. Everyone begins to question itself and the fuss about the future.

euronews â€" South Africa has many important challenges ahead. Above all, the fight against poverty. Is this, in fact, the most unequal country in the world? May the spirit Mandela change that?

François Chignac, Special Envoy to South Africa â€" it's true, we must underline the inequalities that exist here. They exist between whites and blacks; among young people and the rest of the population. But also between foreigners and the rest of the country. We must not forget also that, in 2008, the country was overshadowed by what appeared to be chaos. There have been cases of very serious violence against immigrants who came to South Africa from Zimbabwe or of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. These people have been victims of violence and are this type of cases that lead to be afraid for the future: will the death of Mandela and this new era will not be able to take the country to fall into chaos?

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