Johannesburg - Three extra stadiums have been made available for those wanting to attend Tuesday's national memorial service in Johannesburg for former president Nelson Mandela.
While the main service would be held at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, overflow stadiums had been provided due to the fact that not all mourners could be accommodated there, the city said in a statement on Sunday.
The three extra venues are Ellis Park, and the Orlando and Dobsonville stadiums, where the national memorial service will be broadcast live. The event is set to start on Tuesday at 11am.
“Government has arranged for free public transport and park-and-rides to accommodate mourners, and ensure that they are able to get to the stadiums on time.”
The city warned that no cars would be allowed near the FNB Stadium, known to locals as the Calabash, and that roads around the venue would be closed from midnight on Monday, with a “total shutdown” from early on Tuesday morning.
“Mourners are urged to choose which stadium they want to attend the national memorial service and take heed of the details... in respect of travelling to the different stadiums, and plan their trips accordingly.
“Entrance to FNB Stadium is on a first come, first serve basis,” it said.
Once it was full mourners would be directed to other stadiums, and should listen to their local radio stations and follow social media.
“Mourners are urged to arrive early at the stadiums. (They) will open at 7am. Parking venues and bus services will be operating from 6am.”
It said normal bus services offered by Rea Vaya, Metrobus and Putco in and around Johannesburg could be disrupted. - Sapa
HOW TO GET TO MANDELA MEMORIAL
The City of Johannesburg on Sunday released details of bus and rail services available for those wanting to attend Tuesday's national memorial service for Nelson Mandela.
The event is set to start at 11am in the FNB Stadium in Soweto.
On getting there, the city said those wishing to attend could:
-- travel by Metrorail from all major stations in Gauteng. Trains would leave on an hourly basis;
-- travel by Gautrain to Park Station, and transfer to Metrorail to FNB Stadium;
-- walk from the surrounding areas to the stadium; or,
-- use the special Rea Vaya BRT service.
The special Rea Vaya BRT service would operate:
-- from Ellis Park East Rea Vaya Station via Beyers Naude Square Westbound Rea Vaya Station, and Westgate Rea Vaya Station to FNB/Stadium Soccer City Rea Vaya Station; and
-- from UJ Sophiatown Rea Vaya Station via Soweto Highway to Nasrec North Rea Vaya Station.
Mourners could also drive to a park-and-ride site and travel by Rea Vaya BRT or bus to the stadium.
Park and ride sites include:
-- Standard Bank, entrance at 1 Simmonds Street, Johannesburg CBD;
-- Open parking next to Rea Vaya Westgate Station, entrance in Anderson Street, Joburg CBD;
-- University of Johannesburg, Kingsway Campus;
-- Gold Reef City (Casino), entrance in Northern Parkway, Ormonde; and,
-- Apartheid Museum, entrance in Northern Parkway, Ormonde.
The city urged those planning to use these services to watch the press for updates.
On getting to Ellis Park Stadium, it said this could be done by:
-- travelling by Metrorail from Park Station to Ellis Park;
-- walking from the nearby areas of Hillbrow, Yeoville, Bertrams and Troyeville; or,
-- walking from the University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, entrance in Beit Street, Doornfontein.
The public could also use the special Rea Vaya BRT service which would operate from:
-- Westgate Rea Vaya Station via Beyers Naude Square and,
-- Braamfontein (Joburg Theatre and Conhill Rea Vaya Stations) to Ellis Park North Rea Vaya Station.
Alternatively, they could drive to a park-and-ride site and travel by Rea Vaya BRT or bus to the stadium.
Park and Ride sites include:
-- Constitution Hill, entrance in Joubert Street, Braamfontein;
-- Metro Centre, entrance in Civic Boulevard, Braamfontein;
-- Thuso House, entrance in Stiemens Street, Braamfontein;
--Wits University, West Campus;
--Bez Valley Park, entrance in Marcia Street, Observatory; and,
--Absa Towers, entrance in Main Street, Joburg CBD.
Those wanting to go to Orlando Stadium could:
-- travel by Metrorail from Vereeniging and Naledi Stations;
-- walk from the nearby areas of Mlamlankunzi, Orlando West, and Orlando East;
-- drive to the Park and Ride at either Northgate or Westbank, Enterprise Rd (off Beyer's Naude Drive), Fairland and catch a bus to Orlando Stadium; or,
-- Catch a marked Putco bus from Protea Glen, Merafe, Molopo, Bara/Diepkloof, Chiawelo, Mapetla, Dube, or Meadowlands.
Options for getting to Dobsonville Stadium include:
-- walking from the nearby areas of Tshepisong, Bramfischerville and Mfolo;
-- catching a marked Putco bus from Emdeni, Naledi, Dobsonville, Orange Farm, Silvertown, or Bramfischerville.
Details and updates are available at www.joburg.org.za.