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Nelson Mandela: Coffin arrives in Qunu for burial | Nelson Mandela: Coffin arrives in Qunu for burial |
(35 minutes later) | |
Nelson Mandela's coffin has arrived in his ancestral home in Qunu in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa, the final leg of its journey. | Nelson Mandela's coffin has arrived in his ancestral home in Qunu in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa, the final leg of its journey. |
Large numbers of people lined the roads in the rural region to pay their respects as the cortege passed by. | |
A state funeral will be held on Sunday for Mr Mandela, who died on 5 December. | A state funeral will be held on Sunday for Mr Mandela, who died on 5 December. |
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. |
Last respects | Last respects |
The C130 military aircraft carrying the coffin, escorted by two fighter jets, arrived in Mthatha at 13:37 local (11:37 GMT). | The C130 military aircraft carrying the coffin, escorted by two fighter jets, arrived in Mthatha at 13:37 local (11:37 GMT). |
In line with tribal custom, Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla accompanied him on the journey, speaking to his coffin to tell him he is on his way home to rest. | In line with tribal custom, Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla accompanied him on the journey, speaking to his coffin to tell him he is on his way home to rest. |
To solemn music, the coffin draped in a South African flag was moved by a military guard of honour and placed in a hearse to begin the road journey. | To solemn music, the coffin draped in a South African flag was moved by a military guard of honour and placed in a hearse to begin the road journey. |
People waving flags and cheering and singing - in places 10 to 12 deep - lined the route taken by the cortege through Mthatha town to pay their last respects. | People waving flags and cheering and singing - in places 10 to 12 deep - lined the route taken by the cortege through Mthatha town to pay their last respects. |
Tears as well as smiles could be seen on the faces of onlookers. | |
However, some people expressed their frustration that the convoy did not stop, so they had no chance to view the coffin as people in Pretoria had. | |
The cortege then drove through the gates of the ancestral homestead in Qunu, where it will rest overnight in the grounds of the royal house of Thembu. | |
The BBC's Milton Nkosi in Qunu said it was a powerful moment for the local community to see their liberator coming home. | |
The Thembu community will conduct a traditional ceremony - including songs and poems about Mr Mandela's life and his achievements - in a giant white marquee that has been specially erected. | |
Some 4,000 people, including presidents from Africa, several prime ministers, the Iranian vice-president, and the Prince of Wales, are expected to attend. | Some 4,000 people, including presidents from Africa, several prime ministers, the Iranian vice-president, and the Prince of Wales, are expected to attend. |
However, Archbishop Desmond Tutu - a long-time friend of Nelson Mandela - has cancelled arrangements to fly to the Eastern Cape for the funeral after saying he had not been invited. | However, Archbishop Desmond Tutu - a long-time friend of Nelson Mandela - has cancelled arrangements to fly to the Eastern Cape for the funeral after saying he had not been invited. |
Archbishop Tutu, said he had no wish to "gatecrash what was billed as a private family funeral". But the South African government - which Archbishop Tutu has criticised - later said the churchman had been invited. | Archbishop Tutu, said he had no wish to "gatecrash what was billed as a private family funeral". But the South African government - which Archbishop Tutu has criticised - later said the churchman had been invited. |
"This is not an event where you need credentials and I hope a solution can be found," said government spokesman Mac Maharaj. "He's an important person and I hope ways can be found for him to be there." | |
'Towering figure' | |
Ahead of the flight to the Eastern Cape, members of the African National Congress paid final tributes to Nelson Mandela at a ceremony in Pretoria. | Ahead of the flight to the Eastern Cape, members of the African National Congress paid final tributes to Nelson Mandela at a ceremony in Pretoria. |
President Jacob Zuma, other ANC leaders and more than 1,000 members of the organisation which Mr Mandela once led, attended the event at the Waterkloof air base. | President Jacob Zuma, other ANC leaders and more than 1,000 members of the organisation which Mr Mandela once led, attended the event at the Waterkloof air base. |
It included a multi-faith service and a musical tribute. | It included a multi-faith service and a musical tribute. |
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. He was something special." | "Yes, we will miss him... He was our father, he was our guardian. He was something special." |
"We'll always keep you in our hearts," Mr Zuma said. | "We'll always keep you in our hearts," Mr Zuma said. |
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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