Nelson Mandela State Funeral Update

 

1. INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS

 

From today we will see the arrival of a large contingent of Heads of State and Government and a broad range of eminent persons, including royalty.

 

The fact that international leaders are making their way to South Africa at such short notice, reflects the special place President Mandela holds in the hearts of people around the globe.

 

We are touched by the fact that many countries have declared periods of mourning, ordered that flags be flown at half-mast and draped or lit landmarks in the colours of the South African flag. We truly appreciate these gestures.

 

We appreciate the willingness showed by a broad range of eminent persons to come to South Africa to join us personally at this time of mourning, reflection and celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy.

 

To date, 13 African states have confirmed attendance, in addition to 15 from outside the continent.

 

International and regional organisations from the United Nations and European Commission to the African Union, for example, have also confirmed attendance.

 

Eleven (11) Eminent Persons will also be in South Africa during this period.

 

From the United States, President and Mrs Obama will be accompanied by three former Presidents – Carter, Bush (George W), Clinton and their spouses, and 26 Congressmen.

 

The Brazilian President, Ms Dilma Rousseff, will be accompanied by four former Heads of State: Presidents Sarney, Melo, Cardoso and Lula da Silva.

 

We expect more confirmations, and we wish to reiterate that our international guests are most welcome as they join us at this difficult time.

 

2. OFFICIAL MEMORIAL SERVICE: FNB STADIUM, JOHANNESBURG + TRANSPORT AND ROAD CLOSURES

 

2.1. Details for FNB Stadium

Mourners to FNB Stadium can choose to travel in one of the following ways:

- Travel by Metrorail from all major stations in Gauteng. Trains will leave on an hourly basis

- Travel by Gautrain to Park Station and transfer to Metrorail to FNB Stadium

- Walk from the surrounding areas to the stadium

Use the special Rea Vaya BRT service which will operate as follows:

- T1: From Ellis Park East Rea Vaya Station via Library Gardens Westbound Rea Vaya Station and Westgate Rea Vaya Station to Soccer City Rea Vaya Station

- T3: From UJ Kingsway Rea Vaya Station via Soweto Highway to Nasrec North Rea Vaya Station

Drive to a Park and Ride site and travel by Rea Vaya BRT or bus to the stadium.

The following are the Park and Ride sites but mourners are urged to watch the press for updates:

- Standard Bank, entrance No 1 Simmond Street, Joburg CBD

- Opening parking next to Rea Vaya Westgate Station, entrance in Anderson Street, Joburg CBD

- University of Johannesburg, Kingsway Campus

- Gold Reef City (Casino), entrance in Northern Parkway, Ormonde

- Apartheid Museum, entrance in Northern Parkway, Ormonde

 

2.2 Supplementary National Memorial Sites: Ellis Park Stadium

Mourners can get to Ellis Park in one of the following ways:

 

- Travel by Metrorail from Park Station to Ellis Park

- Walk from the nearby areas of Hillbrow, Yeoville, Bertrams, Troyeville, etc.

- Walk from the University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, entrance in Beit Street, Doornfontein

Use the special Rea Vaya BRT  service which will operate as follows:

 

- T1: From Westgate Rea Vaya Station via Library Gardens East Bound Rea Vaya Station to Ellis Park East Rea Vaya Station

- From  Braamfontein (Joburg Theatre and Conhil Rea Vaya Stations) to Ellis Park North Rea Vaya Station

 

Drive to a Park and Ride site and travel by Rea Vaya BRT or bus to the stadium.

 

The following are the Park and Ride sites but mourners are urged to watch the press for updates:

- Constitutional Hill, entrance in Joubert Street, Braamfontein

- Metro Centre, entrance in Civil Boulevard, Braamfontein

- Thuso House, entrance in Stiemens Street, Braamfontein

- Wits University, West Campus

- Bez Valley Park, entrance in Marcia Street, Observatory

- ABSA Towers, entrance in Main Street, Joburg CBD.

 

2.3 Supplementary National Memorial Service: Orlando Stadium

Mourners can get to Orlando Stadium in one of the following ways:

 

Travel by Metrorail from Vereeniging and Naledi Stations

Walk from the nearby areas of Mlamlankunzi, Orlando West, Orlando East, etc.

Drive to the Park and Ride at either Coke a Cola Dome, Northgate and catch a bus to Orlando Stadium.

 

Catch a marked PUTCO bus from the following areas

 

- Protea Glean

- Merafe

- Molapo

- Bara/Diepkloof

- Chiawelo

- Mapetla

- Dube

- Meadowlands.

 

2.4. Supplementary National Memorial Service: Dobsonville Stadium

Mourners can get to Dobsonville Stadium in one of the following ways:

 

Walk from the nearby areas of Tshepisong, Braamfisher, Mfulo, etc.

Catch a marked PUTCO bus from the following areas:

 

- Emdeni

- Naledi

- Dobsonville

- Orange Farm

- Silvertown

- Braamfisher

 

2.5. Details of FNB Stadium Road Closures

The following road closures will be in place around FNB Stadium from midnight on Monday 9th December. However JMPD and SAPS will be closely monitoring the area from Monday 9th December 2013:

 

- N1 and Rand Show Road

- N1 and Soweto Highway

- N1 and 17

- N1 and Nasrec offramp

- Greenwood Rd and Booysens Reserve, and

- Nasrec and Main Reef Roads.

 

 

The Official Memorial Service at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, on Tuesday, December 10. The event will begin formally at 11am. Gates will open at 6am.

 

3. PUBLIC VIEWING AREAS FOR REGIONAL MEMORIAL EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY

 

We must emphasise that also on Tuesday, provincial authorities will be hosting various events around the country where people are invited to come together to view the national event at FNB Stadium on big screens.

 

These public viewing areas, which are normally activated during national events such as the State of the Nation Address, will be similar to the “fan parks” that were in place during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

 

Around 90 big screens will be set up by Government Communications (GCIS) and partners in all provinces.

 

Click HERE for a full screening schedule of the public tribute and mourning areas.

 

4. LYING IN STATE: WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 TO 13, 2013

South Africans and selected international visitors and guests will be able to view President Mandela’s remains at the Union Buildings for three days from Wednesday, 11 December.

 

President Mandela’s remains will be transported daily between 1 Military Hospital, Thaba Tshwane, and the Union Buildings. The procession will leave 1 Military Hospital at 07h00 daily and President Mandela’s body will be on view from 08h00.

 

On Wednesday December 11, the Mandela family and VVIPs will view the body from 10h00.

 

Members of the public will file past the body from 12h00 to 17h30.

 

On Thursday and Friday, 12 and 13 December, the public will have access to casket from 08h00 to 17h30.

 

Government appeals to people to work with the various agencies of government who will manage this route so that this daily event will be dignified and secure.

 

Two sites in Pretoria will be used as points from which mourners will be shuttled to the Union Buildings and back. No other access will be possible. Mourners are also advised that cellphones will need to be off and out of sight as mourners file past the body.

 

Details of this route and times will be provided later. Government invites mourners to line this route and form a public guard of honour for Tata Madiba each morning when the remains are transported. The public guard of honour will not apply in the evening.

 

Again, we call on members of the public to cooperate with the authorities to ensure that this event is dignified and secure.

 

5. STATE FUNERAL, QUNU

More information will be released in the coming days about arrangements for the laying to rest of President Mandela at Qunu in the Eastern Cape.

 

However, it is worth noting that South African Airways will operate a special air transport service to ferry mourners who will attend the funeral of world icon and former president Nelson Mandela in the Eastern Cape.

 

This special service – for which travellers will pay - will cater for mourners who will attend the funeral and the service will also be available on the return leg of their travel.

 

The special service does not replace and will not disrupt SAA’s existing daily operations to the Eastern Cape – except that airspace will be restricted around Mthatha.

 

Information about the readiness of the Airports Company of South Africa to manage passengers and aircraft during this period has been compiled into a factsheet. This factsheet is available on the official government memorial website, www.mandela.gov.za.