Pretoria – Authorities have urged people wishing to attend the memorial service of the late former President Nelson Mandela, in Johannesburg, to use public transport, as no private cars will be allowed in the vicinity of the FNB stadium.
The city of Johannesburg’s Mayor Parks Tau, speaking at a media briefing on Sunday, further assured members of the public that there will be sufficient transport available to ferry people around.
On Tuesday, the world will come together to remember Mandela’s life in a main memorial service to take place at the FNB stadium. The event is expected to attract an unprecedented number of foreign dignitaries, heads of state and royalty. It is set to start at 11am and gates will open open at 6 am.
Other Stadiums
Several other stadiums have been identified to accommodate the scores of people who will be descending to the city to mourn and celebrate the legacy of the former statesman.
Transport will also be available to access Orlando Stadium and Dobsonville stadium,” said Tau. The two stadiums, together with Elis Park stadium will serve as overflow venues and people will be able to follow the memorial service as it happens.
People may travel by Metrorail from all major stations in Gauteng. Trains would leave on an hourly basis. There will also be a special Rea Vaya BRT service.
Earlier, Minister in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Collins Chabane, said provincial authorities have also been urged to provide transport for those wishing to attend the service in Johannesburg.
Tau said several roads and streets leading to the FNB stadium will be closed to normal traffic and this includes the N1 and Rand Show road, N1 and Soweto Highway, N1 and N17, as well as Nasrec and Main Reef roads.
Mthatha Airport
Meanwhile, The Eastern Cape provincial government has said the Mthatha airport will only be used for the landing of Heads of State attending the State Funeral, in Qunu, on Sunday.
“VVIPs attending the funeral will be driven by luxury coaches to Qunu to avoid a stampede in the N2,” Premier Noxolo Kiviet was quoted as saying.
The mortal remains of the former President will be flown from the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria, to Qunu in the Eastern Cape, on Saturday. –SAnews.gov.za
