Pretoria – ANC senior officials will on Saturday have an opportunity to bid farewell to former President Nelson Mandela before the body is flown to Mthatha for the burial on Sunday.
South African National Defence Force (SANDF) spokesperson Brigadier-General Xolani Mabanga said Mandela’s remains will be handed over to ANC officials at Waterkloof Air Force Base in the morning, where a memorial service will be held in honour of South Africa’s first democratically elected President.
“After the service, the body will be returned back to the SANDF and be prepared for departure to Qunu. It will be flown to Mthatha Airport, if the weather permits, but if it doesn’t, it will land at East London Airport,” Mabanga said.
Mandela died at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, last week Thursday. He will be laid to rest on Sunday in his rural childhood village, Qunu. – SAnews.gov.za
