(NOTE TO EDITORS: The original version of this statement referred to an opportunity for people in the Eastern Cape to be part of the State Funeral events on Saturday. This should have read “Sunday”. This update now correctly refers to “Sunday”. Please accept GCIS’s sincerest apology.)
13 December 2013
The passing away of President Nelson Mandela has united South Africans in dignified mourning and celebration.
13 December 2013
President Nelson Mandela will receive an official send off from the Waterkloof Military Airforce Base in Pretoria on Saturday, 14 December 2013.
The military will hand over the remains of President Nelson Mandela to the ruling party at 07h00. The military will again take over at 09h00 for the send-off ceremony and departure from Waterkloof Airforce Base.
13 December 2013
Pretoria – As the third and final day of the public viewing draws to a close, government confirms that about 100 000 people paid homage to President Mandela at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The third day closed with over 50000 paying their respects to our national icon and first democratically elected President of our country.
Media are advised that Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) Ministers will brief the media on the State Funeral of former President Nelson Mandela.
The details are as follows:
Date: Friday, 13 December 2013
Time: 18h00
Venue: Nelson Mandela Museum, Qunu
Enquiries:
Bongiwe Gambu
Cell: 082 714 9463
Brian Dube
Cell: 082 418 3389
Issued by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
13 December 2013
Travelling to Mthatha from Kokstad/Durban:
13 December 2013
Government is grateful to all the people of South Africa who have come out in their numbers, some travelling from other provinces, to bid farewell to President Nelson Mandela at the Union Buildings.
The response has been overwhelming and heartwarming with 12000-14000 paying homage to Tata Madiba on day one with two people passing every three seconds on day two.
As at 07h30 this morning Friday 13 December, there were thousands of people at the various park and ride facilities:
13 December 2013
Media are invited to a technical media briefing hosted by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on media arrangements of the state funeral of former President Mandela.
The details are as follows:
Date: Friday, 13 December 2013
Time: 11h00
Venue: Nelson Mandela Museum, Qunu
Government has also created a dedicated website where all announcements and media related information is uploaded daily: www.mandela.gov.za.
12 December 2013
The Department of State Security has confirmed that the photograph of President Mandela, purported to be of him lying in his casket at the Union Buildings, is a fake.
Government finds it extremely distasteful that a member of the public would engage is such behaviour and manipulate a photograph of President Mandela at this time.
We thank all members of the public who have acted respectfully as they bid farewell to Tata Madiba as he lies in state at the Union Buildings for playing their part.
12 December 2013
Park and ride centres for public viewing of President Mandela’s body have been closed for the day – Thursday 12 December 2013 - after reaching their full capacity. Yesterday, December 11, between 12 000 and 14 000 people were able to pay their final respects. Today’s numbers are still being determined.
People in the queues at the park and ride facilities will be transported to the Union Buildings until 17h00 today, following which the remains of President Mandela will return to 1 Military Hospital, Thaba Tshwane.
