Mandela funeral cortege to process through Pretoria

Nelson Mandela’s funeral cortege will travel through the streets of the capital Pretoria on three consecutive days, the South African government said Saturday, encouraging people to line the route.

“Every morning, when the remains leave the mortuary to the lying in state, those routes will be made public,” said government spokesman Neo Momodu.

Mandela’s remains will lie in state at the Union Buildings -- the official seat of the South African government -- on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

“We are going to be encouraging members of the public to be lining the streets,” Momodu said.

The lying in state is part of a larger ten-day remembrance of the former president, who died on Thursday aged 95.

On December 9, both houses of parliament will be recalled from recess for a special joint sitting in honour of Mandela’s legacy.

The following day a memorial service will be held at a 90,000-plus capacity stadium in Soweto.

The “Soccer City” stadium hosted the 2010 World Cup final where Mandela made his last major public appearance.

Mandela will be buried on December 15 in Qunu, a town in the Eastern Cape, the hilly rural area where he grew up.