Mandela To Be Buried In Hometown December 15

South African government has said Nelson Mandela will be buried Sunday, December 15, in his hometown of Qunu after a state funeral.

President Jacob Zuma gave details on national TV, broadcast live to South Africans and the rest of the world.


Zuma declared this Sunday to be a day of prayer and reflection in South Africa, and urged the country’s people to gather in “churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and their homes” to pray and reflect on Mandela’s life.

He said an official memorial service will be held Tuesday at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium, site of the final for the 2010 World Cup.

Mandela’s body will lie in state for three days at South Africa’s seat of government, the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Mandela died late yesterday at the age of 95 after a protracted period of battle lung cancer and other ailments.

World leaders have poured tributes in honour of the man who historically represents human rights, justice and reconciliation. And national flags in many countries of the world are flying at half mast in mourning the man whom United States President Barack Obama said now ‘belongs to the ages.’