Pretoria – Thousands of mourners, many dressed in South African and ANC colours, this morning lined the streets between 1 Military Hospital and the Union Buildings to ensure they witnessed the late former President Nelson Mandela’s cortege passing by.
Members of the public were encouraged to gather on the streets to give the struggle icon a fitting send-off.
Madiba’s body, transported in a black hearse, escorted by South African National Defence Force members, left 1 Military Hospital in Thaba Tshwane shortly after 7am and en route to the Union Buildings.
The procession was met with some people crying, others saluting, flags waiving and cheers and ululations.
The cortege made made its way down Old Pretoria Road towards the city, where it joined Kgosi Mampuru Road until the intersection of Madiba Street. It then proceeded in an eastern direction towards the Union buildings.
Madiba’s body will for the last time lie in state at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre on Friday.
Members of the public will have from 8am to 5.30pm to make their way to the venue, where they will file past the casket and pay their last respects to the Father of the Nation as he is affectionately known.
The City of Tshwane has once again implemented park-and-ride facilities at the venues, namely Fountains Valley, LC de Villiers Sports Facility and the Tshwane Events Centre. Some mourners have been queing since last night to ensure they get onto the free busses to take them to the Union Buildings.
Madiba’s body with be flown to the Eastern Cape on Saturday, ahead of the State Funeral on Sunday. – SAnews.gov.za
