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.

12 December 2013
 

Government and the Mandela family have no plans to release so-called official photographs of President Mandela lying in state.
Government is respecting the family’s wish that no photographs of President Mandela’s body be released.
With regard to mourners filing past the casket, government repeats the caution that no photography is allowed, as this would violate the military protocol governing proceedings at the Union Buildings.

12 December 2013
 
 

 12 December 2013

The public is urged to use the park-and-ride facilities at the Tshwane Events Centre (Pretoria Show Grounds),  LC De Villiers Sports Facility (SOUTH STREET ENTRANCE) in Hatfield and Fountains Valley Park to the Union Buildings to pay their last respects to former President Nelson Mandela.

No walk-ins will be permitted to enter the Union Buildings. To assist in the continuous smooth running of the lying-in-state, the public is urged to cooperate with systems that are in place.

Government also calls on media in the area to cooperate with the organising authorities, and asks that the broader public comply with requests or instructions by authorities.

11 December 2013

The first day of the Lying in State for former President Nelson Mandela took place successfully today, with more than 500 media personnel at the event.

Fellow South Africans
 
Ladies and gentlemen of the media
 
Welcome to this briefing on 11 December 2013 – a day after the National Memorial Service for the late President Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg – and the first day on which President Mandela is lying in state.

We are honoured to have the Mandela Family with us at this briefing where the family will express a vote of thanks to South Africa and the world for the success of yesterday’s National Memorial Service at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg.

Welcome, General Matanzima.

Government wants to advise members of the public that the cut-off has been reached for people wishing to view President Mandela’s body at the Union Buildings this afternoon.
 
Large numbers of people are still in queues at the various points around the City of Tshwane from which mourners are being transported to the Union Buildings.
 
Government welcomes the interest people have showed in wanting to bid Madiba farewell, but we have reached the limit for the day.
 

11 December 2013

11 December 2013

Members of the public are advised that the lying-in state will commence from 11 to 13 December at the Union Buildings, where ordinary South Africans and guests will be given an opportunity to pay their last respects to former President Nelson Mandela at the Union Buildings.

The City of Tshwane has activated park-and-ride facilities for the public at the Tshwane Events Centre, LC De Villiers Sports Facility in Hatfield and Fountains Valley Park to the Union Buildings.