FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS OUT FOR NELSON MANDELA

The funeral arrangements of the late first black President of South Africa, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela has been announced. In his address, the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, has declared 10 days of national mourning. Sunday, 8th December 2013 is the National Day of prayer and reflection. He has asked people of different beliefs to gather in their various places of worship to pray for the departed hero, his family and the nation. On Tuesday, the 10th of December, the official memorial service will be held at the FNB Stadium, near Soweto. From 11th to 13th December, his remains would lie in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where he was inaugurated as the first President of the democratic South Africa in 1994. He will be laid to rest in his home village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape on Sunday, the 15th of  December.
The former President who is fondly called "Tata" - The father of Nations died in Johannesburg at exactly 8:50am on Thursday 5th December 2013 at the age of 95. He is survived by his former spouse Winnie Madikizela Mandela, his spouse Graca Machel, his three daughters - Makaziwe, Zenani, Zindzi and many grandchildren and great grand children.

Farewell Madiba

The young Mandela

He loved boxing

With his late son, Thembekile who died in 1969

Marriage to 1st wife, Evelyn Mase in 1944

Marriage to 2nd wife, Winnie in 1958

With his daughter Zindzi on her wedding day

                                             

Married 3rd wife Graca Machel in 1998

With his daughters and grandchildren

With his oldest surviving child, Makaziwe

                                   

Inside the tiny cell that housed him for 27years

With Michael Jackson

With Whitney Houston

Madiba's last days

His son, Makgatho Mandela died in 2005

                                   

He would lie in state at the FNB Stadium

Mandla Mandela, his grandson

.