Nelson Mandela’s flag-draped casket made a solemn journey through the streets of Pretoria on Wednesday, arriving at the seat of South Africa’s government where he will lie in state for three days.
A black hearse phalanxed by 16 motorcycle outriders rolled out of the city’s 1 Military Hospital onto streets lined with flag-waving South Africans who formed a public guard of honour.
The casket was unloaded by eight pallbearers representing the branches of the armed forces in full uniform.
From there it was carried up the steps toward the towering acropolis of beige freestone, where nearly two decades ago Mandela was sworn in as the country’s first black president, signifying the rebirth of this long-troubled nation.
Trailing behind the coffin was Mandela’s oldest grandson, Mandla Mandela, his manifest grief a poignant reminder that while the nation lost a hero, Mandela’s family lost a father, grandfather and husband.
Mandela’s open coffin was placed on a cubic platform in the building’s amphitheatre, soon to be renamed in his honour, where it he will viewed by family, heads of state, celebrities and the general public for three days.
Two military officers clad in white dress uniform stood guard at each entrance with swords pointing downward.
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