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        South Africa Prepares for Mandela's Funeral, Mourning Continues

   by VOA News

   South Africa is preparing for the funeral of anti-apartheid icon Nelson
   Mandela who died Thursday at the age of 95.
   President Jacob Zuma said South Africa has lost "its greatest son and
   our people have lost a father."
   Scores of world leaders and celebrities are expected for the funeral
   and memorial services of South Africa's first black president.  Every
   living U.S. president is also expected to attend the funeral, health
   permitting.
   The state funeral will be held December 15 and Mandela will be buried
   in his ancestral village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape province.
   ''Sunday, December 8 has been declared a national day of prayer and
   reflection.  President  Zuma has called for South Africans to gather in
   "halls, churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and in their homes" for
   prayer and meditation to reflect on the life of Mandela and his
   contribution to South Africa and the world.
   The official memorial service will be held on December 10 at
   Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium - the site of the 2010 World Cup
   final.
   From December 11 - 13, Mandela's remains will lie in state at the Union
   Building in Pretoria and official memorial services will also be held
   in all provinces and regions.
   '''
   Thousands of mourners continued to flock to sites around the country
   Saturday to pay homage to the beloved freedom fighter.
   In Johannesburg, mourners sang liberation songs outside Mandela's house
   and people expressed their sympathies in a book of condolences in
   Mandela Square.
   Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his role in fighting to end white
   minority rule and official discrimination against blacks in South
   Africa.
   After his release, he became a symbol of peace and reconciliation and
   won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.  The following year, he became South
   Africa's first black president.
   ''
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/south-africans-mourn-mandela/1805657.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/south-africans-mourn-mandela/1805657.html