Nelson Mandela to get 12 Days Long Farewell before Funeral

South African Icon Nelson Mandela is expected to get a week long farewell before a State Funeral next week. The Funeral would be a mix of Western and African traditions and is expectd to take after 12 days.

As per reports in CNN, in the next three or four days, his body would be taken to a military hospital and embalmed and kept for public farewell at Johannesburg soccer stadium.

Next week, probably on Friday or Saturday, his dead body would be taken to his ancestral hometown of Qunu, as per his last wishes. Leaders from around the world including US President Barack Obama is expected to be present at the occasion.

As per reports in The Guardian, Every living American president is expected to attend, along with dignitaries ranging from Prince Charles to the Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe. Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, are also set to fly in.

The Funeral is expected to be comparable to that of Pope John Paul II and Winston Churchill.

Tentative Funeral Schedule

Day 3: Diplomats to be briefed about Mandela’s present State
Day 4: Dignitaries to visit Mandela Family.
Day 5: Dignitaries to visit Mandela Family
Day 6: Memorial Ceremony presided by RSA President Jacob Zuma
Day 7-8: Dead Body open to be viewed by people from all over the world.
Day 9: Rehearsal for Official State Funeral at Union Buildings.
Day 10; Arrival of International Guests
Day 11: Procession from the mortuary to Union Buildings and a Massive state funeral
Day 12: Body to be flown to Mandela’s Home Village Qunu for Burial.