Qunu – The village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape is relatively quiet this morning, ahead of the arrival of the late former President Nelson Mandela’s remains, later today.
Cows are grazing and villagers are seen going about their daily business. The clouds have cleared and the rain which has been pouring since the beginning of the week has since passed.
It’s a critical moment for Qunu which has produced South Africa’s finest son. Villagers here have throughout this week been displaying both a sense of grief and pride.
Many are aware that, while Mandela's roots were in the tiny village, he was an icon figure that South Africa had to share with the rest of the world. No leader in living memory was as popular and admired as Mandela.
Government has urged people to form a human chain along the more than 40 kilometer stretch of road from the Mthatha airport, through the city centre and all the way to Qunu. This is the route the military procession will use to carry the remains of the former president.
Some locals started to make their way to the N2 that passes Qunu as early as 8am. Among the participants is an elderly man who is dressed in a white t-shirt bearing the face of the late icon. He has travelled from the nearby Mvezo village to be part of the activities in Qunu. Mandela’s coffin is scheduled to arrive at his home in the afternoon after being flown from Pretoria earlier in the morning.
“I want to greet Dalibhunga (Mandela’s family name) one last time and thank him for everything he has done for us as a country and as his people here,” said the man who introduced himself as Jwarha.
Some journalists are setting up their cameras along the trench of road to get a glimpse of the parade. It is expected to be the largest gathering of this kind.
At the Mthatha airport, where an aircraft carrying the former president’s remains will touch down just after midday, staff are busy preparing for the arrival of some dignitaries. George Bizos and Police Deputy Minister Maggie Sotyu have just arrived.
Bizoz was part of Mandela’s legal team during the famous Rivonia Trial in the 1960s.
Security was water tight at the security gate leading to the airport terminal and a small pool of journalists camped inside the airport precinct from as early as 5am.
Once Mandela’s remains arrive, it is expected that full military honours will be performed.
After Xhosa rituals have been conducted, the military procession will make its way through the town of Mthatha via the R61 and the N2.
Back at Qunu, inside the Mandela family compound, where a giant marquee has been set up to accommodate 4000 guests, there was some activity with heavy vehicles seen entering the residence to deliver various kinds of goods for the Sunday funeral.
Access to the farm where the funeral proceedings will take place is strictly limited and the army has effectively taken control of the area around the Mandela residence.
All traffic from East London to Mthatha was being diverted and this is expected to be the case until at least Sunday night. – SAnews.gov.za
