Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille on Saturday outlined the events that the city will host to honour former president Nelson Mandela.
Ms de Lille said the city’s events will be aligned with the national programme of events announced by the Presidency on Friday.
Mandela died at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Thursday. His death came after a series of hospitalisations for lung infections and several months of intensive care at his home.
President Jacob Zuma said on Friday that an official memorial service will be held at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday. Mandela will be buried in Qunu in the Eastern Cape, where he grew up, on Sunday 15 December.
The government said on Saturday that Mandela’s remains will be paraded through the streets of Pretoria. The government encouraged the public to the line the streets on the route from the mortuary to the Union Buildings where Mandela’s remains will lie in state from Wednesday to Friday.
Ms de Lille said that the city will host a commemorative event at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday 11 December. This will serve as Cape Town’s memorial service to honour Mandela. The event starts at 4pm and gates will open at 2pm. Prominent local acts will perform as well as a potential international artist. Ms de Lille said details will be confirmed closer to the time.
Ms de Lille said in order to maintain order and safety, the city will have a coupon system in place to regulate entry to the stadium. A maximum of five coupons will be available per person, free of charge, on presentation of a valid identity document or passport.
In depth: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 1918- 2013
News and views on the death, and life, of former president Nelson Mandela, with tributes and photographs"These coupons can be collected via Computicket or at any Shoprite outlet across Cape Town.... This coupon allows free access to public transport in the form of the MyCiTi bus service, Golden Arrow bus services, and Metrorail into and out of the city," Ms de Lille said.
She said there will be a free MyCiTi shuttle service from the Civic Centre to the Cape Town Stadium and a "walk of remembrance" from the Civic Centre to the stadium will be activated (the fan walk).
The city will also host a special council meeting on Sunday "in order to allow the city’s elected representatives to pay tribute to Madiba".
In line with the National Day of Prayer and Reflection on Sunday, the city will host an interfaith service on the Grand Parade. The Grand Parade on Darling Street in the city centre, where Mandela made his first speech after being released from prison in 1990, has been designated as the primary public space where people can gather to mourn and bring flowers to commemorate his life.
Ms de Lille said on the eve of Mandela’s funeral, the public will be able to gather for a night vigil on the Grand Parade from 5pm.
Change: 1.61%
Change: 1.50%
Change: 1.82%
Change: 0.74%
Change: 4.50%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: -0.27%
Change: 0.05%
Change: 1.61%
Change: 0.00%
Change: 0.12%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: 0.66%
Change: 1.41%
Change: 1.57%
Change: 0.59%
Change: 1.61%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: 1.58%
Change: 1.07%
Change: 1.14%
Change: 3.88%
Change: -0.11%
Data supplied by Profile Data