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-25364297

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Mandela lies in state: South Africans told not to join queue Mandela lies in state: South Africans told not to join queue
(about 1 hour later)
South Africans have been warned not to attempt to go the see Nelson Mandela's body in the capital, Pretoria, unless they are already in the queue. South Africans have been warned not to attempt to go to see Nelson Mandela's body in the capital, Pretoria, unless they are already in the queue.
The anti-apartheid leader's body is lying in state at the Union Buildings, where he was sworn in as South Africa's first black president in 1994.The anti-apartheid leader's body is lying in state at the Union Buildings, where he was sworn in as South Africa's first black president in 1994.
More than 50,000 people were waiting for buses when the warning came.More than 50,000 people were waiting for buses when the warning came.
Mr Mandela will be buried at his ancestral home in Qunu on Sunday. He died on 5 December aged 95.Mr Mandela will be buried at his ancestral home in Qunu on Sunday. He died on 5 December aged 95.
His body is to be flown to the rural area of the Eastern Cape where the former president grew up. His body is to be flown to the rural area of the Eastern Cape where he grew up.
Friday is the last of three days for people to file past the body in Pretoria.Friday is the last of three days for people to file past the body in Pretoria.
The government said it could not guarantee everyone already waiting for buses would get in.The government said it could not guarantee everyone already waiting for buses would get in.
The response from the public had been "overwhelming and heart-warming", government spokesman Phumla Williams said in a statement. The BBC has witnessed a sizeable group of people breaking through police lines into the Union Building gardens towards the front of the queue.
The response from the public to view Mr Mandela, known by his clan name Madiba, had been "overwhelming and heart-warming", government spokesman Phumla Williams said in a statement.
Between 12,000 and 14,000 people had paid their respects to Mr Mandela on the first day he laid in state "with two people passing every three seconds on day two", she said.Between 12,000 and 14,000 people had paid their respects to Mr Mandela on the first day he laid in state "with two people passing every three seconds on day two", she said.
If any additional numbers came on Friday it would make it physically impossible for people to get the opportunity to file past the body, she added.If any additional numbers came on Friday it would make it physically impossible for people to get the opportunity to file past the body, she added.
"We appeal to members of the public who have not had the opportunity to pay their respects to President Mandela at the Union Buildings, to say goodbye in their own personal way.""We appeal to members of the public who have not had the opportunity to pay their respects to President Mandela at the Union Buildings, to say goodbye in their own personal way."
Correspondents who have visited the coffin said Mr Mandela's body could seen through a glass screen, dressed in one of his trademark patterned shirts. Correspondents who have visited the coffin said Mr Mandela's body could be seen through a glass screen, dressed in one of his trademark patterned shirts.
At each end of the casket stood two navy officers clad in white uniforms, with their swords pointing down.At each end of the casket stood two navy officers clad in white uniforms, with their swords pointing down.
Some mourners stopped briefly to pray, while a number of people reportedly fainted.Some mourners stopped briefly to pray, while a number of people reportedly fainted.
Nosiswe Maduna and her 14-year-old daughter, who travelled 220km (136 miles) from Senekal in Free State to come to Pretoria, were among thousands turned away on Thursday.Nosiswe Maduna and her 14-year-old daughter, who travelled 220km (136 miles) from Senekal in Free State to come to Pretoria, were among thousands turned away on Thursday.
They spent the night in the open at a petrol station and began queuing at 03:00 local time (05:00 GMT) so as not to be disappointed again.They spent the night in the open at a petrol station and began queuing at 03:00 local time (05:00 GMT) so as not to be disappointed again.
"It was my daughter who said we should sleep here and try again, because she didn't want to go back without seeing him," she told the AFP news agency."It was my daughter who said we should sleep here and try again, because she didn't want to go back without seeing him," she told the AFP news agency.
After 15:30 GMT, the body will be returned to One Military Hospital before being flown from Waterkloof Military Airbase near Pretoria to Mthatha on Saturday.After 15:30 GMT, the body will be returned to One Military Hospital before being flown from Waterkloof Military Airbase near Pretoria to Mthatha on Saturday.
Lt-Gen Xolani Mabangu, from the defence force, said chief mourners among the Madiba clan and Mandela family, as well as senior government officials, would accompany the body, the South African Press Association reports.Lt-Gen Xolani Mabangu, from the defence force, said chief mourners among the Madiba clan and Mandela family, as well as senior government officials, would accompany the body, the South African Press Association reports.
A military guard of honour will welcome the arrival, and the coffin will be placed on a gun carriage and transported to a hearse.A military guard of honour will welcome the arrival, and the coffin will 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.