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Mandela goodbye for ANC members ahead of state funeral Mandela goodbye for ANC members ahead of state funeral
(35 minutes later)
Members of the ruling African National Congress are paying final tributes to Nelson Mandela at a ceremony ahead of his state funeral on Sunday. Members of the African National Congress have been paying final tributes to Nelson Mandela at a ceremony ahead of Sunday's funeral.
President Jacob Zuma and other ANC leaders are attending the ceremony at a Pretoria airbase. President Jacob Zuma and other ANC leaders attended the ceremony at a Pretoria airbase.
Mr Mandela's coffin, draped with the ANC flag, was taken there from a mortuary in the city.Mr Mandela's coffin, draped with the ANC flag, was taken there from a mortuary in the city.
After the farewell ceremony, the coffin will be taken to Mr Mandela's ancestral home in Qunu, in the Eastern CapeAfter the farewell ceremony, the coffin will be taken to Mr Mandela's ancestral home in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape
At least 100,000 people saw the former South African president's body lying in state in Pretoria over the last three days, but some had to be turned away.At least 100,000 people saw the former South African president's body lying in state in Pretoria over the last three days, but some had to be turned away.
The 95-year-old former leader died on 5 December.The 95-year-old former leader died on 5 December.
'Human chain''Human chain'
More than 1,000 ANC members are attending the ceremony at the Waterkloof air base. More than 1,000 members of the ANC, which Mr Mandela once led, are attending the ceremony at the Waterkloof air base.
Among those invited are also US civil rights activist Jesse Jackson and Ireland's Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. US civil rights activist Jesse Jackson and Ireland's Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams were among the foreign guests invited.
Mourners heard President Zuma pay his own tribute to Nelson Mandela, calling him a "towering figure", "a man of action" and a "democrat who understood the world."
"Yes, we will miss him... He was our father, he was our guardian."
"We'll always keep you in our hearts," Mr Zuma said.
After the ceremony the coffin will be flown to Mthatha airport in the Eastern Cape ahead of the burial in Qunu.After the ceremony the coffin will be flown to Mthatha airport in the Eastern Cape ahead of the burial in Qunu.
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 coffin, the South African Press Association reports. Army Lt-Gen Xolani Mabanga said chief mourners among the Madiba clan and Mandela family, as well as senior government officials, would accompany the coffin.
A military guard of honour will welcome the arrival in Mthatha, and the coffin will be placed on a gun carriage and transported to a hearse.A military guard of honour will welcome the arrival in Mthatha, and the coffin will be placed on a gun carriage and transported to a hearse.
Local people will form a 'human chain' between Mthatha and Qunu as the procession passes. Once in Qunu, the Thembu community will conduct a traditional ceremony.Local people will form a 'human chain' between Mthatha and Qunu as the procession passes. Once in Qunu, the Thembu community will conduct a traditional ceremony.
On Friday, the South African government said in a statement that "the third day closed with over 50,000 paying their respects to our national icon and first democratically elected president of our country".On Friday, the South African government said in a statement that "the third day closed with over 50,000 paying their respects to our national icon and first democratically elected president of our country".
Shortly before the lying in state came to an end, at 17:45 local time (15:45 GMT), hundreds of people towards the front of the queue pushed through in the hope to be one of the last through the door.Shortly before the lying in state came to an end, at 17:45 local time (15:45 GMT), hundreds of people towards the front of the queue pushed through in the hope to be one of the last through the door.
One police officer told the AFP news agency: "There are too many people. The whole of the Republic of South Africa wants to say goodbye."One police officer told the AFP news agency: "There are too many people. The whole of the Republic of South Africa wants to say goodbye."
Many people waited in the queue for 11 hours for the chance to see Nelson Mandela's body.Many people waited in the queue for 11 hours for the chance to see Nelson Mandela's body.
Some were angry more time had not been allowed for this ceremonial; others said even if they could not reach his coffin for a personal farewell it was enough simply to be there.Some were angry more time had not been allowed for this ceremonial; others said even if they could not reach his coffin for a personal farewell it was enough simply to be there.
Correspondents who visited the coffin said Mr Mandela's body could be seen through a glass screen, dressed in one of his trademark patterned shirts.Correspondents who 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.
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.
On Tuesday, tens of thousands of South Africans joined scores of world leaders for a national memorial service as part of a series of commemorations for Mr Mandela.On Tuesday, tens of thousands of South Africans joined scores of world leaders for a national memorial service as part of a series of commemorations for Mr Mandela.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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