Pretoria - Hundreds of public servants, diplomats and VIPs are standing in long, winding queues at the Rietondale park and ride facility to get a last glimpse of former President Nelson Mandela’s body at the Union Buildings.
Today is the last day for grieving South Africans to view the remains of their late founding democratic President. This is the third and final day he has been lying in state at the venue where he was inaugurated as President in May 1994.
The snaking queues at Rietondale are moving fast and in an orderly manner. Public Protector Thuli Madonsela arrived wearing a black dress and sunglasses, and made her way to the Union Buildings in one of the mini-buses transporting people to the Union Buildings.
Some public servants arrived wearing t-shirts bearing Mandela's image, with the words, “We will always remember you Tata!”.
Department of Labour employee Kadimo Morobe arrived at the park just before 8am.
“I felt very honoured and a sense of fulfilment when I took a glimpse of the body of our former President, though I never got a chance to be close to him while he was still alive. It was chance to say goodbye to him and it was done in a dignified manner.
“[As] government employees, we really thank the Madiba family and those who made this arrangement possible for everyone to go and view Madiba’s remains.
“It was so emotional, but for the fact that you pass quickly, you absorb those feelings as you get out of the Union Buildings (sic). To me, it was overwhelming and I will [always remember this day],” said Morobe.
The public will be able to view the body, which is in a coffin with a glass top, until 5pm. The body will at 5.30pm make its way back to 1 Military Hospital for the last time.
Mandela died on Thursday night, December 5 at his home in Houghton at the age of 95.
After lying in state for three days, Mandela’s body will be taken to the Eastern Cape on Saturday, where the world icon will be buried at his home village of Qunu on Sunday. - SAnews.gov.za
