Mandela s state funeral details

Former president Nelson Mandela will be buried at Qunu in the Eastern Cape on 15 December 2013, following an official memorial service on 10 December at FNB stadium in Johannesburg.

South African flags at all official buildings will fly at half-mast throughout the period.

The public will be given ample opportunity to pay their last respects to former President Mandela. There are public venues throughout the country that will serve as memorial centres where people will be able to participate in public mourning events.

Books of condolence are being circulated to all municipalities and government departments. People can also post tributes, record memories and express their emotions at the Government Facebook page.

Books of condolence are also being available at governments diplomatic missions around the world.

Memorial service - 10 December 2013

The public and media are welcome to attend a memorial service for former President Mandela at the FNB Stadium on 10 December. Gates will open at 06h00 and the service will start at 11h00.

Lying in State - 11 to 13 December 2013

South Africans and selected international visitors and guests will be able to view President Mandela's remains at the Union Buildings for three days from Wednesday, 11 December.

President Mandela's remains will be transported daily between 1 Military Hospital, Thaba Tshwane, and the Union Buildings. The procession will leave 1 Military Hospital at 07h00 daily and President Mandela's body will be on view from 08h00.

On Wednesday December 11, the Mandela family and VVIPs will view the body from 10h00.

Members of the public will file past the body from 12h00 to 17h30.

On Thursday and Friday, 12 and 13 December, the public will have access to casket from 08h00 to 17h30.

Government appeals to people to work with the various agencies of government who will manage this route so that this daily event will be dignified and secure.

Two sites in Pretoria will be used as points from which mourners will be shuttled to the Union Buildings and back. No other access will be possible. Mourners are also advised that cellphones will need to be off and out of sight as mourners file past the body.

Details of this route and times will be provided later. Government invites mourners to line this route and form a public guard of honour for Tata Madiba each morning when the remains are transported. The public guard of honour will not apply in the evening.

Again, government calls on members of the public to cooperate with the authorities to ensure that this event is dignified and secure.

Transporting of remains to Qunu - Saturday, 14 December 2013

On Saturday, 14 December, the former President's remains will be transported to the Eastern Cape from Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria, where the ruling party will bid Madiba farewell.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will take charge of this leg of the State funeral.

A military Guard of Honour will welcome the mortal remains which will be draped in the national flag.

Upon arrival at Mthatha Airport the SANDF contingent will perform the ceremonial removal of the Mortal Remains form the aircraft.

The coffin will be placed on a gun carriage and then transported into a hearse.

The SANDF will sound the national anthem while the Guard of Honour will Present Arms and salute.

The mortal remains will thereafter be transported to the family home in Qunu, where the Thembu community will conduct a traditional ceremony.

State funeral service at Qunu - 15 December 2013

The funeral service at Qunu will conclude the 10 day State funeral period.

The Mandela family, the President and Cabinet, Heads of State, and other dignitaries will be in attendance.

The SANDF will again be charged with draping the coffin. A National Salute will be performed and the National Anthem will be played.

South African Airways will operate a special air transport service to ferry mourners who will attend the funeral of world icon and former president Nelson Mandela in the Eastern Cape.

This special service - for which travellers will pay - will cater for mourners who will attend the funeral and the service will also be available on the return leg of their travel.

The special service does not replace and will not disrupt SAA's existing daily operations to the Eastern Cape - except that airspace will be restricted around Mthatha.

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