Madiba’s body moved - report

Boys look at a poster of former president Nelson Mandela as they gather outside Mandela's house after news of his death in Houghton. Picture: Siphiwe Sibeko

Boys look at a poster of former president Nelson Mandela as they gather outside Mandela's house after news of his death in Houghton. Picture: Siphiwe Sibeko

Published Dec 6, 2013

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Johannesburg -

The body of former president Nelson Mandela has been moved to One Military hospital in Pretoria, SABC radio news reported on Friday.

President Jacob Zuma announced on Thursday evening that Mandela died at his Houghton home in Johannesburg around 8.50pm.

He said Mandela would be given a state funeral and ordered that all flags be flown at half-mast from Friday and remain like that until after the funeral.

Early on Friday pictures of Mandela, of him in various stages of his life, were displayed by crowds singing outside his home.

People brought pictures of the world icon, in all sizes, and held them up high to television cameras.

They continued to sing and blow vuvuzelas. A promotions company set up a screen along the pavement showing Mandela's face and a “1918-2013” sign on the side. The struggle songs subsided and people began singing gospel songs.

They also sang the national anthem, hoisting the national flag as they did so.

Women brought children and sang along. Journalists kept an eye on the house, the entrance of which had been cordoned off by police. - Sapa

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