The funeral arrangements for the late anti-apartheid icon and former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, has been announced.
According to the current South African president, Jacob Zuma, Mandela will be given the honour of a state funeral on Sunday 15 December when his body will be interred in the remote village of Qunu where he spent his childhood.
Sunday, 8th December 2013 has been declared a National day of prayer and reflection.
“We call upon all our people to gather in halls, churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and in their homes to pray and hold prayer services and meditation, reflecting on the life of Madiba and his contribution to our country and the world,” said Zuma.
“We’ll always love Madiba for teaching us that it is possible to overcome hatred and anger in order to build a new nation and a new society. We will spend the week mourning his passing. We will also spend it celebrating a life well lived. A life that we must all emulate – for the betterment of our country and Africa. Long live Madiba. I thank you,” Zuma continued.
There will be a memorial service for him on Tuesday 10 December at Soccer City in Soweto where Mandela made his last public appearance at the 2010 World Cup tournament.
Mandela’s body will then lie in state at the government Union Buildings in Pretoria, the seat of the South African government.
