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Huge crowds file past Nelson Mandela's body in Pretoria | Huge crowds file past Nelson Mandela's body in Pretoria |
(35 minutes later) | |
Thousands of South Africans have queued to view the body of former President Nelson Mandela in Pretoria. | |
Mr Mandela's body is lying in state at the government buildings where he was sworn in as South Africa's first black president in 1994. | |
Among those paying their respects were his widow Graca Machel, President Jacob Zuma, celebrities including Bono and other relatives and officials. | |
Mr Mandela died last Thursday at the age of 95 and will be buried on Sunday. | Mr Mandela died last Thursday at the age of 95 and will be buried on Sunday. |
His funeral will take place in his home village of Qunu in Eastern Cape province. | |
Tens of thousands of South Africans joined scores of world leaders for a national memorial service on Tuesday as part of a series of commemorations. | Tens of thousands of South Africans joined scores of world leaders for a national memorial service on Tuesday as part of a series of commemorations. |
One of the dignitaries at the event, former Archbishop of Cape Town Desmond Tutu, had his home broken into while he was away, an aide has told reporters. | |
Quick convoy | Quick convoy |
Member of the public queued in various parts of the city for the chance to see Mr Mandela's body. | |
Thousands managed to gain entry, but the BBC's Peter Biles in Pretoria says hundreds more were turned away because the public viewing ends at 17:30 (15:30 GMT). | |
Mr Mandela's coffin will be lying in state for two more days, so the disappointed can try again on Thursday. | |
Our correspondent says those queuing have shown enormous patience with the lengthy process of gaining admission, which involves stringent security checks. | |
Earlier, crowds watched as the coffin was taken in procession from a hospital mortuary to the Union Buildings. | Earlier, crowds watched as the coffin was taken in procession from a hospital mortuary to the Union Buildings. |
The procession left the city's 1 Military Hospital shortly after 07:00 on Wednesday. | |
The coffin could be seen inside a black hearse, draped in a South African flag, in a convoy with military outriders and ambulances. | The coffin could be seen inside a black hearse, draped in a South African flag, in a convoy with military outriders and ambulances. |
Mr Mandela's remains will make the journey from the military hospital every morning from Wednesday until Friday, the government announced. | Mr Mandela's remains will make the journey from the military hospital every morning from Wednesday until Friday, the government announced. |
"The public are encouraged to form a guard of honour by lining the streets," it said. | "The public are encouraged to form a guard of honour by lining the streets," it said. |
Small crowds cheered and sang as the convoy sped past. | Small crowds cheered and sang as the convoy sped past. |
"Seeing him passing by was the greatest thing I have ever seen in my life. I just wanted to see him passing for the last time," said one mourner, Grace. | "Seeing him passing by was the greatest thing I have ever seen in my life. I just wanted to see him passing for the last time," said one mourner, Grace. |
At the memorial service on Tuesday, the crowd listened to Mr Zuma's speech, but sections of the stadium booed when his name was mentioned at other times. | At the memorial service on Tuesday, the crowd listened to Mr Zuma's speech, but sections of the stadium booed when his name was mentioned at other times. |
Mr Mandela's grandson, Ndaba, told the BBC that his grandfather would not have been bothered by the booing. | Mr Mandela's grandson, Ndaba, told the BBC that his grandfather would not have been bothered by the booing. |
"He is a man of the people and one who respects and understands that the people must express their opinions no matter whether they are with you or against you," he said. | |
Later, presidential spokesman Lindiwe Zulu said the booing was "humiliating" and those responsible would be "dealt with". | |
'Great liberator' | 'Great liberator' |
After Mr Mandela's body has lain in state for three days, the military will fly him to the Eastern Cape from Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria. | After Mr Mandela's body has lain in state for three days, the military will fly him to the Eastern Cape from Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria. |
A military guard of honour will welcome the arrival, and the coffin will then be placed on a gun carriage and transported to a hearse. | A military guard of honour will welcome the arrival, and the coffin will then be placed on a gun carriage and transported to a hearse. |
Mr Mandela's body will then be taken to his home village of Qunu, where the Thembu community will conduct a traditional ceremony. | Mr Mandela's body will then be taken to his home village of Qunu, where the Thembu community will conduct a traditional ceremony. |
A national day of reconciliation will take place on 16 December when a statue of Mr Mandela will be unveiled at the Union Buildings. | A national day of reconciliation will take place on 16 December when a statue of Mr Mandela will be unveiled at the Union Buildings. |
Big screens have been set up across South Africa to show the planned national events. | Big screens have been set up across South Africa to show the planned national events. |