Mandela’s body arrives at Union Buildings amid singing, waving flags
by Staff Writer
2013-12-11 08:59:14.0
THE body of former president Nelson Mandela was lying in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria — the seat of government in South Africa — on Wednesday morning.
Police formed a guard of honour as the casket was taken from the hearse and carried into the building and people were seen waving flags and singing: “Mandela, my president.”
The coffin has a glass top so people can view Mandela’s body.
It was a tense morning as Mandela’s body was brought to the Union Buildings. Road closures and tight security resulted in the media and members of the public struggling to move to the Union Buildings to watch the event.
Hundreds of journalists from news agencies and organisations around the world gathered at the foot of the Union Buildings hoping to enter and view the body, while car brigades brought VIPs, public servants and extended family to pay their respects.
The cloudy but warm morning was a stark contrast to Tuesday’s official memorial service at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg that was characterised by rainy weather. The service was attended by, among others, more than 100 current and former heads of state and government.
Earlier in the morning, members of the public formed a respectful but celebratory guard of honour for Mandela near the Union Buildings.
People entered Madiba Street through side streets and out of office buildings to line the route of the procession bearing his body from 1 Military Hospital to the Union Buildings, where he will lie in state for the next three days.
Defence force helicopters patrolled the sky above the buildings as the public gathered far off singing tribute songs and the roar of motorcycles in the procession filled the air.
The assembled crowd erupted into song, singing “Tata Mandela”.
Pretoria resident Ramola Naidoo said she had waited at the corner of Government Avenue, just outside the entrance to the Union Buildings, since before sunrise.
She carried a small bonsai Boabab tree, which she said she hoped to plant somewhere in the Transkei in Madiba’s honour sometime next year.
Soldiers wearing green berets lined the route and kept their eyes resolutely fixed on the crowd, occasionally stealing a glance at the procession.
As the vehicle bearing the coffin, draped with a South African flag, passed by, the crowd erupted into shouts of “Mandela, Mandela, our father”.
The public are allowed to view the body from noon on Wednesday until 5pm. On Thursday and Friday, the public will be able to view the body from 8am to 5pm.
The Mandela family, President Jacob Zuma and various dignitaries are expected to pay their respects to Mandela before the public were allowed in.
“Ordinary South Africans and guests will be given an opportunity to pay their last respects to former president Nelson Mandela,” the Government Communication and Information System said in a statement.
“The City of Tshwane has activated park-and-ride facilities for the public ... Mourners are advised that cameras, including cellphones, will not be allowed at the Union Buildings.”
Mandela died on Thursday night at his home in Houghton at the age of 95.
After lying in state for three days, Mandela’s body will be taken to the Eastern Cape where the elder statesman will be laid to rest in the village of Qunu on Sunday.
With Sapa and Khulekani Magubane
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Former president Nelson Mandela's coffin being taken up the steps of the Union Buildings on Wednesday. Picture: MASI LOSI
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Military outriders escort the funeral cortege carrying the coffin of former president Nelson Mandela on its way to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Wednesday December 11 2013. Picture: REUTERS
THE body of former president Nelson Mandela was lying in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria — the seat of government in South Africa — on Wednesday morning.
Police formed a guard of honour as the casket was taken from the hearse and carried into the building and people were seen waving flags and singing: “Mandela, my president.”
The coffin has a glass top so people can view Mandela’s body.
It was a tense morning as Mandela’s body was brought to the Union Buildings. Road closures and tight security resulted in the media and members of the public struggling to move to the Union Buildings to watch the event.
Hundreds of journalists from news agencies and organisations around the world gathered at the foot of the Union Buildings hoping to enter and view the body, while car brigades brought VIPs, public servants and extended family to pay their respects.
The cloudy but warm morning was a stark contrast to Tuesday’s official memorial service at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg that was characterised by rainy weather. The service was attended by, among others, more than 100 current and former heads of state and government.
Earlier in the morning, members of the public formed a respectful but celebratory guard of honour for Mandela near the Union Buildings.
People entered Madiba Street through side streets and out of office buildings to line the route of the procession bearing his body from 1 Military Hospital to the Union Buildings, where he will lie in state for the next three days.
Defence force helicopters patrolled the sky above the buildings as the public gathered far off singing tribute songs and the roar of motorcycles in the procession filled the air.
The assembled crowd erupted into song, singing “Tata Mandela”.
Pretoria resident Ramola Naidoo said she had waited at the corner of Government Avenue, just outside the entrance to the Union Buildings, since before sunrise.
She carried a small bonsai Boabab tree, which she said she hoped to plant somewhere in the Transkei in Madiba’s honour sometime next year.
Soldiers wearing green berets lined the route and kept their eyes resolutely fixed on the crowd, occasionally stealing a glance at the procession.
As the vehicle bearing the coffin, draped with a South African flag, passed by, the crowd erupted into shouts of “Mandela, Mandela, our father”.
The public are allowed to view the body from noon on Wednesday until 5pm. On Thursday and Friday, the public will be able to view the body from 8am to 5pm.
The Mandela family, President Jacob Zuma and various dignitaries are expected to pay their respects to Mandela before the public were allowed in.
“Ordinary South Africans and guests will be given an opportunity to pay their last respects to former president Nelson Mandela,” the Government Communication and Information System said in a statement.
“The City of Tshwane has activated park-and-ride facilities for the public ... Mourners are advised that cameras, including cellphones, will not be allowed at the Union Buildings.”
Mandela died on Thursday night at his home in Houghton at the age of 95.
After lying in state for three days, Mandela’s body will be taken to the Eastern Cape where the elder statesman will be laid to rest in the village of Qunu on Sunday.
With Sapa and Khulekani Magubane
News and views on the death, and life, of former president Nelson Mandela, with
tributes and photographs
