Mandela 'returns home' to final resting place

A military helicopter patrols the area as the hearse carrying the coffin of former South African President Nelson Mandela is escorted by a funeral procession after entering his home in Qunu, Eastern Cape on Dec 14, 2013. Nelson Mandela's remains were
A military helicopter patrols the area as the hearse carrying the coffin of former South African President Nelson Mandela is escorted by a funeral procession after entering his home in Qunu, Eastern Cape on Dec 14, 2013. Nelson Mandela's remains were returned to his beloved rural childhood village on the eve of a traditional burial on Sunday, the final leg of his exceptional 95-year journey. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

QUNU, South Africa (AFP) - Nelson Mandela's remains were returned to his beloved rural childhood village on the eve of a traditional burial on Sunday, the final leg of his exceptional 95-year journey.

As South Africa prepared to say goodbye to the prisoner-turned-president who led it out of apartheid, a spokesman for Mandela's fellow Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu said he would attend the burial after all, following an outcry when Tutu earlier said he had not been invited.

Tutu, who has at times been openly critical of the South African government and the Mandela family, said Saturday morning he did not want to "gatecrash what was billed as a private family funeral".

But Tutu's spokesman said late Saturday that the retired Anglican archbishop would in fact be travelling to the remote eastern village of Qunu early the next day to attend his longtime friend's burial, in a brief statement that did not explain the change of course.

Mandela will be buried near his homestead in Qunu, ending 10 days of national mourning and global tributes for the icon who transformed his country and inspired the world with his committment to reconciliation.

The funeral will begin at 8.00am (2pm Singapore time) with a two-hour ceremony for 5,000 people, with foreign dignitaries expected to include Britain's Prince Charles.

A funeral cortege with Mandela's flag-draped casket entered the gates of the homestead Saturday accompanied by a phalanx of military vehicles.

Earlier, a C-130 Hercules transport plane escorted by two fighter jets carried Mandela's casket from the capital Pretoria to his native Eastern Cape.

The homecoming of Mandela's body was greeted by thousands of waiting mourners and a full military guard of honour.

A sombre mood soon changed to cheers as the crowd - many dressed in free T-shirts bearing Mandela's face - welcomed the return of their hero with joy and pride.

"I'm just telling him welcome, welcome home!" said Mxhasi Mpikwa, who was born in the same month of 1994 that saw South Africa's first all-race vote and Mandela's election as the country's first black president.

Military personnel lined the route, along with small groups of people singing anti-apartheid songs and songs in praise of the revered statesman.

Outcry over Tutu ================

An outcry followed Tutu's remarks implying he had been snubbed, but the South African government said his name was on the list of accredited guests to attend the ceremony, which is closed to the broader public.

They said no invitation had been sent to any dignitaries but that Tutu was welcome.

Tutu was "number six" on the list of church leaders to attend, said Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane.

Tutu however, would not take part in the official programme, as per talks between the Mandela family and church leaders, the South African government said in a statement.

"The items relating to church leaders was compiled and finalised by church leaders and the family. Government and the ANC had no role to play," it added.

Sunday's interment will see Mandela laid to rest in the open spaces of the village that he so longed for during his 27 years in apartheid prison.

Since Mandela died on December 5 at his home in Johannesburg, South Africans have turned out in the pouring rain and blistering sun to pay their respects.

Tens of thousands had packed a soaked stadium in Soweto for a memorial service Tuesday, and up to 100,000 people filed past his open casket during the three days it was displayed at the Union Buildings in Pretoria - the same venue of his presidential inauguration two decades ago.

There were scuffles Friday on the final day of the lying in state, as police had to turn away tens of thousands of frustrated mourners who were unable to view the body.

Mandela's casket left Pretoria with a send-off organised by the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which he once led.

President Jacob Zuma, flanked by Mandela's widow Graca Machel and ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, said South Africa needed "more Madibas" - using Mandela's clan name.

"Yes we are free, but the challenge of inequality remains," Zuma said, citing the twin blights of poverty and unemployment.

Traditional, private burial ===========================

The burial itself will be a strictly private affair, barred to both the public and the media, at the wishes of the Mandela family.

The funeral will be held according to traditional Xhosa rites overseen by male members of Mandela's clan.

The slaughtering of an animal - a ritual performed through various milestones of a person's life - will form a crucial part of the event.

During the ceremony, Mandela will be referred to as Dalibhunga, the name given to him at the age of 16 as he entered adulthood.

Although Mandela never publicly declared his religious denomination, his family comes from a Methodist background.

On Saturday night, in line with tradition, several vigils were being held around Qunu, with the first funeral-goers expected to arrive as early as 2.00am (8am Singapore time).

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