Johannesburg -
The family of former president Nelson Mandela will accompany his remains on the flight to the Eastern Cape on Saturday morning, the family said on Friday.
“Tomorrow (Saturday morning), the body of Mr Nelson Mandela will leave Waterkloof (Air Force Base) at 10.45am,” family spokesman General Temba Matanzima told reporters in Johannesburg.
“He will leave Waterkloof with members of the family, who will accompany him.” Matanzima said members of the military would also accompany Mandela's remains.
“When they land in Mthatha, at about 12.45pm, the body and the delegation... will be met by members of the family, members of the Thembu nation and others who are prepared to meet and accompany the family.”
From there, the convoy would proceed through the streets of Mthatha.
“There will be two stops. There will be a stop on York road, next to the old stadium, and there will be another stop at Ultra City for 10 or 15 minutes for people to see,” Matanzima said.
From there, the convoy would proceed to Qunu, where the remains would be handed over to the Mandela family by the military.
“The members of the family will (then) do their part, taking the body into the house of Madiba, and there they will wait until the next morning, when the official funeral will take place.”
Matanzima said the government would provide further details of the funeral programme.
Mandela died at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, last Thursday. at the age of 95. His state funeral will be held at Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, on Sunday. - Sapa