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Nelson Mandela: Coffin arrives in Qunu for burial | Nelson Mandela: Coffin arrives in Qunu for burial |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Nelson Mandela's coffin has arrived in his childhood 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. | 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 coffin was flown from Waterkloof airbase in Pretoria on a C130 military aircraft, escorted by two fighter jets. | The coffin was flown from Waterkloof airbase in Pretoria on a C130 military aircraft, escorted by two fighter jets. |
In line with tribal custom, Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla accompanied him on the journey, speaking to his coffin to tell him he was 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 was on his way home to rest. |
It arrived in Mthatha, 700 km (450 miles) away, shortly before 14:00 local time (12:00 GMT). | |
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 32km journey to Qunu, where Mr Mandela had wanted to spend his final days and where he will be buried. | |
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. | Tears as well as smiles could be seen on the faces of onlookers. |
"He is finally coming home to rest, I can't even begin to describe the feeling I have inside," 31-year-old Bongani Zibi told AFP news agency. | "He is finally coming home to rest, I can't even begin to describe the feeling I have inside," 31-year-old Bongani Zibi told AFP news agency. |
"Part of me is sad but I'm also happy that he has found peace." | "Part of me is sad but I'm also happy that he has found peace." |
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. | 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 Mandela homestead in Qunu, where it will rest overnight in the grounds of the royal house of Thembu. | The cortege then drove through the gates of the Mandela 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 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 Xhosa 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. | |
Archbishop Desmond Tutu - a long-time friend of Nelson Mandela - has now confirmed he will attend the funeral, having earlier said he had cancelled his flight as he had not received an invitation. | |
The South African government had earlier said the archbishop was accredited, but that no formal invitations had been sent out. | |
'Towering figure' | '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." | 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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