Madiba memorial events: How you can get involved

There are a number of events taking place to honour the Father of the Nation ahead of the his state funeral in Qunu on Sunday, 15 December.

9 December:  Joint sitting of Parliament 
There will be a joint sitting of Parliament to honour and celebrate Nelson Mandela's life on Monday, 9 December. The joint sitting will be broadcast live here.

Madiba Speaks, a special public exhibition that traces the transformation of Parliament and South Africa during Nelson Mandela's presidency, will open on Monday, 9 December. The public is invited to pay tribute to Madiba at the exhibition in the Parliamentary precinct from 8 am to 8 pm daily.


10 December: Official memorial service 
The official memorial for Tata Madiba will take place at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg from 11am. Gates will open at 6am and entrance is on a first come, first served basis. The service will be broadcast live by the SABC.


11- 13 December: Lying in state
Madiba's remains will lie in state at the Union Building in Pretoria. Government has invited mourners to line the route and form a public guard of honour for Tata Madiba at 7am each morning when the remains are transported from 1 Military Hospital to the Union Building.

Members of the public will be able to file past the body on Wednesday December 11 from 12pm to 5.30pm.

On Thursday and Friday, 12 and 13 December, the public will have access to casket from 8am to 5.30pm.


15 December: Official state funeral
Madiba will be laid to rest at a state funeral in Qunu in the Eastern Cape.


Visit www.mandela.gov.za for a full list of events and details.

You can also honour Madiba by posting a message on Avaaz.org. Messages will be posted on a wall near Nelson Mandela's Houghton home.