Pretoria – The late former President Nelson Mandela will be buried on Sunday at the family farm in Qunu, Eastern Cape, at noon.
Madiba’s body will be flown from Waterkloof Airbase to Mthatha later today, accompanied by family elders, following a farewell ceremony by the African National Congress.
Once in the Eastern Cape, at around 1pm, Madiba’s body will be received with full military honours.
Various rituals will be conducted, after which a military procession will make its way through the town of Mthatha towards Qunu.
The route will continue from the airport, along the R61, to Sutherland Street, York Road, Nelson Mandela Drive, and onto the N2 to Qunu which is 46km from the airport.
Members of the public will be able to line the route from Mthatha to Qunu to view the procession.
At the Mandela family farm in Qunu, rituals will be conducted and the body of Madiba will be handed over from the SANDF to the ruling party once again. Following further rituals, the body will be presented to the Mandela family.
There will be a night vigil at the Walter Sisulu University until the late hours of tonight.
On Sunday, a park-and-ride facility will start from the Walter Sisulu University Zamukulungisa Campus at 5am for those who are accredited to attend the funeral. No vehicles will be allowed near the venue.
All guests will need to be seated at the main marquee at the family farm in Qunu by 7am.
The funeral programme will then begin at 8am to 10am and thereafter only close family members and few invited delegates of the family move to the burial site.
The funeral service will end at noon. – SAnews.gov.za
