Breakdown Of Activities For 10 Day Mourning In Honour Of Mandela

A 10-day mourning has been declared in honour of South African icon, Nelson Mandela, after which a befitting State funeral would be conducted to lay his body to the Earth.

Although it is the tradition of the Xhosa people of South Africa not talk about death or plan for it, no matter how inevitable or close it may seem, there were secret plans between the government, the military and Mandela’s family to prepare a fitting farewell.

According to CNN, plans will unfold over the next 10 days, culminating in a state funeral to be broadcast to millions worldwide and a very private farewell for those closest to him.

Here is a breakdown of activities which will take place in the 10 days leading to the world icon’s final departure.

Day 1 to Day 4

Mandela passed away at 8.50 p.m. Thursday (1.50 p.m. ET), surrounded by his family, South African President Jacob Zuma said. During his final hours, Mandela would have also been surrounded by Thembu elders.

Within the first 4 days of his passing, the Thembu elders would gather for a first ceremony, a tradition called “the closing of the eyes.” This event will take place either at his home or in the mortuary.

Throughout the ceremony, the elders will be talking to Mandela, as well as to his tribal ancestors, to explain what’s happening at each and every stage to ease the transition from life to beyond.

After the ceremony, it is believed Mandela’s body will be embalmed at the mortuary, which is reportedly a military hospital in Pretoria.

Day 5

Formal public events will not be held until five days after Mandela’s death when tens of thousands of people are expected to converge on the FNB Stadium, known as Soccer City in Soweto for a memorial service.

It was at that stadium that in July 2010, Mandela made his last public appearance at the World Cup final.

Spectators rose to their feet, and paid tribute to the then-92- year-old who some had feared might be too infirm to attend the event.

This time around, the atmosphere on Day 5 is expected to hang heavy with grief as a nation mourns its leader.

It is not known whether Mandela’s casket will be there.

According to CNN, some world leaders might attend this memorial service instead of the state funeral later on in the week.

According to reports from the White House, arrangements are being made for President Barack Obama to travel to South Africa to attend the memorial service.

Day 6 to 8

According to sources, Mandela’s body will then lie in state for three days at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the seat of power of the South African government.

The first day will be reserved for dignitaries while the public will be allowed to file past his casket on days 7 and 8.

Viewing hours are expected to be limited to daylight.

It was at the historic Union Buildings that Mandela was inaugurated as President on May 10, 1994. On that extraordinary day, crowds converged around the building to witness history being made. That day, a former political prisoner achieved what was once unthinkable and became South Africa’s first post-apartheid black leader.

Day 9

On the ninth day of Mandela’s death, a military aircraft will leave a Pretoria airbase and fly South to Mthatha, the main town in the South African province of Eastern Cape.

Thembu elders and members of the Mandela family make the journey with Mandela’s casket.

Thousands of mourners are expected to line the streets from Mthatha airport to watch as the military transports Mandela’s casket on a gun carriage to the remote village of Qunu, where the former leader spent his childhood years.

Along the way the procession is expected to pause for prayers to allow ordinary South Africans to pay their respects.

Once at Mandela’s house, the military will formally pass responsibility for his remains to his family.

The South African flag that is expected to be draped over the coffin will be replaced with a traditional Xhosa blanket, symbolizing the return of one of their own.

At dusk, ANC leaders, local chiefs and Mandela’s family are expected to gather for a private night vigil before a very public funeral the next day.

Day 10

The funeral and burial will be on the grounds of Mandela’s Qunu home where thousands of people, including dozens of heads of state are expected to gather for the funeral. The funeral will take place under a large tent nestled in the hills where Mandela ran and played as a child.

The event will be broadcast to an audience of millions around the world.

At midday – when the summer sun is high in the sky – Mandela will be buried into the rocky soil of his homeland. Only a few hundred close family members will bid that final farewell to Mandela as he is laid to rest.

The burial area has been especially built for him; some of Mandela’s long deceased family members are already buried at the site.

It will be, according to custom, a homecoming.

His grave site is surrounded by rocky outcrops, hardy grass used for the grazing cattle and bright orange aloe plants.

The aloes are indigenous succulents which are hardy, drought-resistant, medicinal plants that bloom across the bushveld when all else is dry and dull. A symbolic floral gesture to a man whose life was filled with sacrifice and tragedy but who triumphed with a tenacity of spirit and hope in even the darkest of days.

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