Daily Sun (December 12 2013) - HIS FACE was sombre as Mandla Mandela followed the flag-draped coffin of his beloved grandfather into the Union Buildings yesterday. The 39-year-old eldest grandchild of Nelson Mandela did his duty and kept a vigil beside the open casket as it lay in state. HE SAT THERE QUIETLY FOR MOST OF THE DAY.
Mandla's face was expressionless - clearly hiding the pain - as hundreds of ordinary people filed past Mandela, who died a week ago at the age of 95.
The numbers were so great police closed the amphitheatre at 3.30pm. But there is still a chance for people to pay their respects today and tomorrow. Madiba's coffin was brought from 1 Military Hospital through the streets of Tshwane yesterday morning.
At the Union Buildings' amphitheatre, politicians and family mourners led by Madiba's widow Graca Machel, and including Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa paid their private respects to the departed former president.
The public was allowed in later.
Daily Sun was able to view Madiba's body.
He looked peaceful, as though he was asleep, and was dressed in a gold and black Madiba shirt.
His coffin is made of dark wood.
Long queues formed outside the historic building as the public waited to see Madiba for the last time.
Security was strict and police picked 10 people at a time to go through. Everyone was given a few seconds to pay their respects. Children were not allowed to view the body.
Mandla, meanwhile, stayed with Madiba's body until the very last person had viewed it and then bid his grandfather farewell. Afterwards he stood- with security force members - on guard as his grandfather's remains were taken back to 1 Military Hospital.
Afterwards members of the public spoke to Daily Sun of their happiness at seeing Madiba.
Tidimalo Mabiletsa (29) from Mabopane said she was content after seeing Mandela's face.
"I had never seen him before, so I'm glad to have seen his face at last. It is sad that I had to see him lying in a coffin."
Lucy Mufamadi (32) from Thohoyandou in Venda, Limpopo said: "I don't feel okay. The first time I heard about him dying, I didn't believe it. But now that I have seen him, I feel sad because we have lost a hero. We will never have anyone like him again."
Olebogeng Mokgoshi (22) from Ga-Rankuwa, north of Tshwane, said that as she could not attend Mandela's memorial service in Soweto on Tuesday, she still wanted to show respect.
See the Daily Sun mobi site for more on this and other stories....
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