The body of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s late anti-apartheid icon, has arrived in the capital Pretoria.
Mandela’s body arrived in the capital on Wednesday and will be placed inside the cavernous amphitheatre of Union Buildings, South Africa's seat of government, on a cubic platform.
His coffin will be carried through the streets for three days to give as many people as possible the chance to say farewell.
His body will then be taken to his ancestral home of Qunu in Eastern Cape Province for burial on Sunday.
This comes a day after more than 100 world leaders joined thousands of South Africans at a stadium in Johannesburg for a massive memorial service.
South Africans have been holding vigils since the country’s former president passed away on December 5.
Mandela passed away after a long battle against lung illness. He had been receiving treatment at home since September.
He led South Africa’s transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s after nearly three decades in prison and was one of the towering political figures of the 20th century.
Mandela served as president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election.
SAB/PR/HRB
Post a Comment