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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 are queuing to view the body of their former President, Nelson Mandela. 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 Union Buildings in Pretoria, where he was sworn in as the country's first black president nearly 20 years ago. 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.
Earlier, members of his family and senior officials including current President Jacob Zuma filed past the coffin. 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 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, South African peace advocate and former Archbishop of Cape Town Desmond Tutu, had his home broken into while he was away, an aide has told reporters. 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 convoyQuick convoy
With crowds streaming into the grounds of the Union Buildings, the BBC's Peter Biles says the scene is reminiscent of the country's first democratic elections in 1994. Member of the public queued in various parts of the city for the chance to see Mr Mandela's body.
It is a lengthy process, with security checks, but so far our correspondent says enormous patience has been displayed by those who are queuing. 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 (05:00 GMT) on Wednesday. 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.
But presidential spokesman Lindiwe Zulu said the booing was "humiliating" and those responsible would be "dealt with". "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.