This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25328266

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Nelson Mandela's body lying in state in Pretoria Family and dignitaries file past Nelson Mandela's body
(about 3 hours later)
The body of Nelson Mandela has arrived at the main government building in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, where it will lie in state for three days. Relatives of Nelson Mandela and senior officials have paid respects to the ex-president in Pretoria, where his body is lying in state.
His remains were taken in procession from a hospital mortuary to the Union Buildings. His widow Graca Machel and former President Thabo Mbeki were among those who filed past the coffin, before members of the public were allowed in.
Members of the public lined the route to form a "guard of honour". Crowds watched earlier as the coffin was taken in procession from a hospital mortuary to the Union Buildings.
The public, invited heads of state and international guests will be able to view the body of the former president who died last Thursday, aged 95. Mr Mandela died last Thursday at the age of 95 and will be buried on Sunday.
He will be buried 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 on Sunday.
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.
Quick convoyQuick convoy
The procession left the city's 1 Military Hospital shortly after 07:00 (05:00 GMT) on Wednesday. The coffin could be seen inside a black hearse, draped in a South African flag. The procession left the city's 1 Military Hospital shortly after 07:00 (05:00 GMT) 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.
It travelled along Kgosi Mampuru Street and Madiba Street on the way to the Union Buildings.It travelled along Kgosi Mampuru Street and Madiba Street on the way to the Union Buildings.
The hearse was in a long convoy with military outriders and military ambulances.
The convoy sped quickly through the streets, with some people running alongside the military guard, the BBC's Joseph Winter in Pretoria says.The convoy sped quickly through the streets, with some people running alongside the military guard, the BBC's Joseph Winter in Pretoria says.
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.
The Union Buildings are the official seat of the South African government, where Mr Mandela was sworn in as the first black president in 1994. Small crowds cheered and sang as the convoy sped past.
At the memorial service on Tuesday, President Jacob Zuma announced that the Union Buildings would be renamed the Mandela Amphitheatre. "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.
The Mandela family and selected VIP visitors will be able to view the body from 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT) on Wednesday. Mr Mandela's coffin was placed under a specially made wooden structure in the grounds of the Union Buildings.
Members of the public can file past from 12:00 to 17:30. Among those who filed past the body were Mr Mandela's second wife, Winnie, and current President Jacob Zuma.
The public will then be able to view the body from 08:00 to 17:30 on Thursday and Friday. The morning viewing was reserved for family and officials, with the public allowed in from midday.
The Union Buildings are the official seat of the South African leader, where Mr Mandela was sworn in as the first black president in 1994.
At the memorial service on Tuesday, Mr Zuma announced that the Union Buildings would be renamed the Mandela Amphitheatre.
'Great liberator''Great liberator'
US President Barack Obama led the tributes to Mr Mandela at Tuesday's memorial service in rainy weather at the FNB stadium in Soweto.US President Barack Obama led the tributes to Mr Mandela at Tuesday's memorial service in rainy weather at the FNB stadium in Soweto.
He said the former South African president was a "giant of history", describing him as the last great liberator of the 20th Century.He said the former South African president was a "giant of history", describing him as the last great liberator of the 20th Century.
"We will never see the likes of Nelson Mandela again. While I will always fall short of Madiba [Mr Mandela's clan name], he makes me want to be a better man.""We will never see the likes of Nelson Mandela again. While I will always fall short of Madiba [Mr Mandela's clan name], he makes me want to be a better man."
On Saturday, Mr Mandela's remains will be transported to the Eastern Cape from Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).On Saturday, Mr Mandela's remains will be transported to the Eastern Cape from Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
A military guard of honour will welcome the arrival. The coffin will then be placed on a gun carriage and then transported to a hearse.A military guard of honour will welcome the arrival. The coffin will then be placed on a gun carriage and then 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 the country to show the planned national events.Big screens have been set up across the country to show the planned national events.