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 6 Version 7
Family and dignitaries file past Nelson Mandela's body Crowds file past Nelson Mandela's body in Pretoria
(35 minutes later)
Relatives of Nelson Mandela and senior officials have paid respects to the ex-president in Pretoria, where his body is lying in state.Relatives of Nelson Mandela and senior officials have paid respects to the ex-president in Pretoria, where his body is lying in state.
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.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.
Crowds watched earlier as the coffin was taken in procession from a hospital mortuary to the Union Buildings.Crowds watched earlier as the coffin was taken in procession from a hospital mortuary to the Union Buildings.
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 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 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.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 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.
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.
Mr Mandela's coffin was placed under a specially made wooden structure in the grounds of the Union Buildings.Mr Mandela's coffin was placed under a specially made wooden structure in the grounds of the Union Buildings.
Among those who filed past the body were Mr Mandela's second wife, Winnie, and current President Jacob Zuma.Among those who filed past the body were Mr Mandela's second wife, Winnie, and current President Jacob Zuma.
The morning viewing was reserved for family and officials, with the public allowed in from midday.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.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.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 the memorial service in rainy weather at the FNB stadium in Soweto.US President Barack Obama led the tributes to Mr Mandela at the 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, the military will fly his body the Eastern Cape from Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria.On Saturday, the military will fly his body 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.