Pretoria - The Mandela family, Government ministers and several Heads of State and Government from different countries across the world have been filing past the body of late former President Nelson Mandela, who is lying in state at Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre, at the Union Buildings.
The Mandela family, including the elders, and several dignitaries, who were shuttled to the Union Buildings, arrived at the Union Buildings just before 10 am. They then lined up to pay homage to Madiba. The body is under constant vigil by the military's national ceremonial guard.
The proceedings included a parade with a gun carriage drawn by soldiers and moment of silence.
As most of the dignitaries will not attend the Official State Funeral in Qunu on Sunday, the occasion is seen as the world leaders’ last final respects to the man who has been hailed as a giant of history and someone who moved a nation towards justice and liberation.
The first batch of mourners to pay homage to Madiba included the Mandela family. They were led by President Jacob Zuma. The group included an emotional Graca Machel, Madiba's wife, as well as former wife Winnie Madikezela Mandela, the elder stateman's children and grandchildren as well as several government ministers and former President Thabo Mbeki.
The second batch to file past the body and pay their last respects were leaders from continents all across the world. Each took their turn in an orderly and dignified manner to either say a prayer at the body or pass by after viewing it.
The leaders included Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Malawian President Joyce Banda, a delegation for the United Arab Emirates, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Mandela's trusted aide for many years Zelda la Grange cut an emotional picture as she walked hand in hand with Irish singer Bono, who is known for his activism against apartheid. Anant Singh, who produced the film: Long Walk to Freedom was also in the groups that paid their final respects.
Madiba's body arrived at the Union Buildings just before 8am this morning in a somewhat sombre mood. Mandla Mandela has been sitting with the coffin since it arrived. Ndaba Mandela and some of elders together with Mandla had received his body earlier.
The convoy carrying his remains had travelled from 1 Military Hospital in Thaba Tshwane, through the streets where ordinary South Africans made a public guard of honour.
His coffin is standing in the same spot where he was sworn in as the country's first democratically elected president.
His remains will lie in state at the Union Buildings’ amphitheatre every day until Friday.
President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday renamed the amphitheatre the Nelson Mandela amphitheatre.
“This is a fitting tribute to a man who transformed the Union Buildings from a symbol of racism and repression to one of peace, unity, democracy and progress,” president Zuma announced during his tribute at the memorial service on Tuesday.
The dignitaries will view Mandela's body until noon, while the public will be able to file past the body from noon until 5.30pm.
On Thursday and Friday, the public will have access to the amphitheatre to view the coffin from 8am until 5.30pm.
Mourners are advised that cameras, including cell phones, will not be allowed at the Union Buildings. – SAnews.gov.za
