Pretoria – Tens of thousands of mourners are this afternoon still queuing at park-and-ride facilities in Tshwane to get on a bus that will take them to the Union Buildings where Tata Madiba is lying in state.
While clouds have started gathering and there is a cool breeze, there is still a long and uncomfortable wait for many.
The long snaking queues at the Tshwane Events Centre, Fountain Valley and LC de Villiers park-and-ride facilities are reminiscent of the first democratic elections in South Africa – the democracy that the late former President Nelson Mandela fought for.
Once at the Union Buildings, mourners queue to access the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre, where Madiba’s body is placed under a specially erected structure, adorned with white flowers.
Only Madiba’s upper body is visible through a transparent window at the top half of the casket.
His body is being guarded by military personnel as well as grandson Mandla Mandela.
Mourners, who are not allowed to take pictures with their cell phones, are filing passed the coffin and are being directed by SAPS officials.
Hundreds of SAPS, Metro Police and SANDF officials are ensuring that security at the Union Buildings is kept tight. Horse-mounted patrols are patrolling the surrounding precinct.
Madiba’s body will be lying in state until 5.30pm, after which it will be transported to 1 Military Hospital in a cortege.
Tomorrow, mourners can view the body from 8am to 5.30pm. This will be the last opportunity to do so before Madiba’s body is flown to Qunu, his home village, for burial on Sunday. – SAnews.gov.za
