Nelson Mandela’s coffin goes on public view at Union Buildings in Pretoria

Nelson Mandela’s coffin arrived at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where his remanis will lie in state for three days.

The former South African president’s remains were taken in procession from a hospital mortuary to the government main building.

Members of the public lined the route to form a “guard of honor”.

The public, invited heads of state and international guests will be able to view the body of the former president who died last Thursday, aged 95.

He will be buried in his home village of Qunu in Eastern Cape province on Sunday.

Tens of thousands of South Africans joined scores of world leaders for a national memorial service on Tuesday as part of a series of commemorations.

The procession left the city’s 1 Military Hospital shortly after 07:00 on Wednesday. The coffin could be seen inside a black hearse, draped in a South African flag.

It travelled along Kgosi Mampuru Street and Madiba Street on the way to the Union Buildings.

The hearse was in a long convoy with military outriders and military ambulances.

Nelson Mandela’s remains will make the journey from the military hospital every morning from Wednesday until Friday, the government announced.

“The public are encouraged to form a guard of honor by lining the streets,” it said.

At the memorial service on Tuesday, President Jacob Zuma announced that the Union Buildings would be renamed the Mandela Amphitheatre.

Nelson Mandela’s family and selected VIP visitors will be able to view the body from 10:00 local time on Wednesday.

Members of the public can file past from 12:00 to 17:30.

The public will then be able to view the body from 08:00 to 17:30 on Thursday and Friday.

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