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Arrangements in place for Tata Madiba's State Funeral

Written By JAK on Sunday, December 15, 2013 | 7:09 AM

The funeral programme for Nelson Mandela is scheduled to start officially at 8am and end at 10am on Sunday.
The funeral programme for Nelson Mandela is scheduled to start officially at 8am and end at 10am on Sunday. (SABC)

Sunday's State Funeral for the founding president of democratic South Africa and former Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, Nelson Mandela, will have full military ceremonial honours - a first for South Africa.

The South African National Defence Force has lead preparations for the State Funeral in rural Qunu in the Eastern Cape. There will be a fly-over by the South African Air Force, Guards of Honour will be in place and 21-gun salutes will take place. Brass bands will provide musical accompaniment at key stages, and the national anthem will be sung.

The casket will be draped in the national flag except on those occasions where the body is presented to the African National Congress as the ruling party.

The funeral is a much more private affair than the memorial service and the three days of lying-in-state. Only family members, senior leadership in the country and a select group of international dignitaries will be part of proceedings, numbering around 4 500 in total.

No vehicles of any kind will be allowed into the area around the Mandela family farm. Guests who have been accredited to attend the funeral will be transported from a park and ride facility at Walter Sisulu University.

The funeral programme is scheduled to officially start at 8am and end at 10am. At 10am close family members and a few invited delegates of the family will move to the burial site, while the rest of the guests will remain in the marquee. The funeral service will end at noon.

ROAD CLOSURES IN THE EASTERN CAPE
The following road closures and diversions will be in place until after the funeral:

Travelling to Mthatha from Kokstad/Durban
- At the N2 Tsolo Junction traffic will be diverted to the R396 to Maclear
- In Mthatha, at the Shell Ultra City, traffic will also be diverted to the R61

Travelling from East London to Mthatha
- Near Butterworth on the N2 at Ndabakazi traffic to be diverted to Tsomo on to the R61
- At Idutywa on the N2 traffic will be diverted to Engcobo on to the R61
- At Engcobo on the R61 at Coghlan a diversion will take place to a gravel road

PUBLIC MOURNING AND TRIBUTE AREAS 
Live television broadcasts can be viewed at the following areas in the Eastern Cape:

- King Sabatha Dalindyebo: Rotary Stadium, Open space below Qunu Museum, Mthatha Stadium, Khaya Majola Stadium, Empa Village next to Qunu, Nkalane village next to Qunu, Mvezo Traditional Council, Mqekezweni Traditional Council
- Port St Johns: Port St Johns Sports Ground
- Ingquza Hill: Lusikisiki College Grounds
- Mhlontlo: Tsolo Junction
- Nelson Mandela Metro:  Nelson Mandela Stadium
- Buffalo City Metro: Sisa Dukashe Stadium
- Intsika Yethu: Cofimvaba Stadium
- Queenstown: Queenstown Sports complex
- Senqu: Lady Grey (Kwezi Naledi Hall)
- Makana: Miki Yili Stadium (Grahamstown)
- Kouga: Humansdorp
- Blue Crane: Somerset East Town Hall
- Matatiele: Matatiele Stadium
- Mzimvubu: Mt Ayliff Town Hall
- Mnquma: Nqadu Great Place
- Mbhashe: Idutywa Sports Ground

Members of the public do not have to be accredited to attend the public mourning viewing areas.


Watch the funeral on the SABC's live stream:
Foreign dignitaries attending the funeral:

Twitter stream:

A look at the culture and traditions related to the funeral:

Mandela family briefs the media on funeral arrangements:







Related stories:



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