Lying-in-state: Thousands pay respects to Madiba

Thousands lined up on Wednesday to pay their final respects to South Africa’s first black president and anti-apartheid hero, Nelson Mandela.

Mandela’s remains were as it laid in state at the government buildings where he was sworn in as South Africa’s first black president in 1994.

The first several hours were said to have been reserved for family and dignitaries.  First to file past Mandela’s remains was South African President Jacob Zuma, followed by Mandela’s widow, Graça Machel, and former wife Winnie Mandela, both wearing black turbans.

In near silence, dozens of family members passed by as military honor guards dressed in white flanked the coffin on each end.

Others who followed shortly after were singer Bono, model Naomi Campbell and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. South Africa’s last white president, F.W. de Klerk, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela, appeared to wipe away a tear as he passed the coffin.

The hearse carrying Mandela’s casket, who died last week at 95, arrived early on Wednesday. It weaved through streets lined with people in Pretoria, the capital, on its way to the Union Buildings.

The somber mood was a sharp change from the celebratory atmosphere at a huge memorial event for him on Tuesday in Johannesburg.

Khehla Shubane, who served time in prison with Mandela, said, “This is a very poignant moment. This is not the Mandela who was in control of things that were happening around him, inspiring people. This is a Mandela who’s in death now.”

As the body arrived, an honor guard stood at attention and a hushed crowd looked on as eight military officers, led by a chaplain, carried the coffin inside. Police helicopters hovered overhead. A South African flag hung outside at half staff.

Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela; and Defense Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, led a small group of mourners wearing black who walked behind the coffin.

 

Mandela’s casket was placed under a dome, very close to the place where he took the oath of office to become South Africa’s first democratically elected president on May 10, 1994.

On that extraordinary day 19 years ago, crowds converged around the building to witness history being made. Mandela, a former political prisoner, achieved what was once unthinkable and became South Africa’s first post-apartheid black leader.

ON Wednesday, people queued in various parts of the city for the chance to see Mandela’s body. Thousands managed to gain entry, but hundreds more were turned away before public viewing ended at 17:30 (15:30 GMT).

Mandela’s coffin is expected to lie in state for two more days, so the disappointed can try again on Thursday or Friday.

Those queuing showed enormous patience with the lengthy process of gaining admission, which involves stringent security checks.

The government said in a statement that identity documents were not required, and said the cut-off time for those hoping to view Mandela’s body had been reached by 3:30 pm (1330 GMT), meaning many hundreds of people were likely be turned away.