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Nelson Mandela to be buried in Qunu ancestral home Nelson Mandela funeral farewell in Qunu ancestral home
(about 1 hour later)
Nelson Mandela is to be buried in his ancestral home in Qunu in the Eastern Cape, ending a week of commemorations for South Africa's first black leader. Nelson Mandela's state funeral is under way at his ancestral home in Qunu, ending a week of commemorations for South Africa's first black leader.
Some 4,500 people - including foreign dignitaries - are attending the funeral, which blends state ceremonial with traditional rituals. Some 4,500 people - including foreign dignitaries - are attending the service, which blends state ceremonial with traditional rituals.
A close friend, Ahmed Kathrada, told the service he had lost an "elder brother" who was with him for many years in prison on Robben island.
Mr Mandela died on 5 December aged 95.
Members of his family attended an overnight vigil, with a traditional praise singer believed to be chanting details of his long journey and life.Members of his family attended an overnight vigil, with a traditional praise singer believed to be chanting details of his long journey and life.
He died on 5 December aged 95. The coffin was taken on a gun carriage from Mr Mandela's house to a giant white marquee that had been specially erected.
Singing and dancing
On Sunday, the coffin was taken on a gun carriage from Mr Mandela's house to a giant white marquee that had been specially erected.
The state funeral started shortly after 06:00 GMT.The state funeral started shortly after 06:00 GMT.
Inside the marquee, Nelson Mandela's portrait had been placed behind two rows of candles, on one of three stages.
After the national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel'I Africa (God Bless Africa) was sung, the service heard from a family spokesman, Chief Matanzima, who praised the army medical team that had treated Mr Mandela before he died.
Mr Kathrada's voice filled with emotion as he spoke of the difficulty of recent months and of how he had held his friend's hand the last time he saw him in hospital. "Farewell my dear brother, my mentor, my leader," he said.
Two grandchildren then addressed the congregation. Ndaba who read an obituary, and Nandi, who spoke fondly of her grandfather as a disciplinarian. "We shall miss you... your stern voice when you are not pleased with our behaviour. We shall miss your laughter."
African National Congress members, veterans of the fight against apartheid and foreign dignitaries - including several African presidents, the Prince of Wales - are among the guests.African National Congress members, veterans of the fight against apartheid and foreign dignitaries - including several African presidents, the Prince of Wales - are among the guests.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu - a long-time friend of Nelson Mandela - is also there, having earlier said he had cancelled his flight as he had not received an invitation. Archbishop Desmond Tutu - a long-time friend of Nelson Mandela - is also there, having earlier said he had cancelled his flight as he had not received an invitation. US talk show host Oprah Winfrey is also present.
The South African government had earlier said the archbishop was accredited, but that no formal invitations had been sent out.
Inside the marquee, Nelson Mandela's portrait is placed behind two rows of candles, on one of the three stages.
Some guests have been singing and dancing to celebrate Mr Mandela's life.Some guests have been singing and dancing to celebrate Mr Mandela's life.
After the two-hour service, Mr Mandela's Thembu community will conduct a private traditional Xhosa ceremony - including songs and poems about Mr Mandela's life and his achievements.After the two-hour service, Mr Mandela's Thembu community will conduct a private traditional Xhosa ceremony - including songs and poems about Mr Mandela's life and his achievements.
An ox will be slaughtered. A family elder will stay near the coffin, which has been draped with a lion's skin, to talk "to the body's spirit".An ox will be slaughtered. A family elder will stay near the coffin, which has been draped with a lion's skin, to talk "to the body's spirit".
'Sad but happy''Sad but happy'
On Saturday, Mr Mandela's coffin was flown from Waterkloof airbase in Pretoria on a C130 military aircraft, escorted by two fighter jets. It later landed at Mthatha airport, some 700km (450 miles) away.On Saturday, Mr Mandela's coffin was flown from Waterkloof airbase in Pretoria on a C130 military aircraft, escorted by two fighter jets. It later landed at Mthatha airport, some 700km (450 miles) away.
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.
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.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.
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.
"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."
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.The cortege then drove through the gates of the Mandela homestead in Qunu.
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. At least 100,000 people saw the former president's body lying in state for three days in Pretoria, but some had to be turned away.
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."
"We'll always keep you in our hearts," Mr Zuma said.
At least 100,000 people saw the former president's body lying in state during the week in Pretoria, but some had to be turned away.
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