Pretoria - More staff at Johannesburg and Eastern Cape airports will be deployed in large numbers around the clock to ensure that mourners traveling to Qunu land with less turbulence.
Home Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said they had increased staff capacity at all affected airports to ensure that there are no delays when diplomats and other dignitaries arrive at the Eastern Cape airports, ahead of former President Nelson Mandela’s funeral in Qunu.
Mandela’s funeral will take place at his home in Qunu on Sunday.
Mamoepa also said Home Affairs was working together with other government agencies, like Airports Company SA and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to ensure that flight schedules and times of arrival for international guests are coordinated without hiccups.
“We have increased capacity in all these airports through re-enforcement at our service counters to ensure all cubicles at our airports – especially OR Tambo, Lanseria, Waterkloof and Port Elizabeth – that these airports are staffed on a 24-hour basis for the duration of the week. This is in addition to the plans that have been already announced by the department.
“In addition, we have also increased the number of supervisors on duty for all shifts to guarantee proper oversight on all operations.”
Mandela family thanks mourners
The family of former President Nelson Mandela have thanked the members of the public and dignitaries from around the world for their support during the time of bereavement.
Retired Lieutenant General Temba Matanzima said the good gesture of the many South Africans at the memorial service on Tuesday and on the first day of Mandela’s lying in the state on Wednesday have in so far helped the family deal with their difficult time.
“As he lies in peace at the Union Buildings, Madiba will be happy to know that he is surrounded by thousands whom he loved and served or served in the prosecution for the just struggle of democracy and in laying the foundation in 1994 for a non-racial and non-sexist democratic SA.
“We are humbled that millions of South Africans who loved him, stood by him through his trials and tribulations, supported him as he ascended to power and witnessed the progress of his physical frailty during his last days, can now join us in bidding him farewell,” he said.
Matanzima also said the family was humbled after people braved the cold and wet weather conditions to support the family at Tuesday’s memorial service.
“While this presented us with some emotional difficulty and sadness, we were also comforted by the knowledge that we were surrounded by loving, supportive friends, comrades, ordinary South Africans, an affectionate nation, and the international community,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
