S. Africans brave rain to attend Mandela memorial service

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A mourner holds theMandelamemorial service schedule in the FNB Stadium (Xinhua/Meng Chenguang)

Braving heavy rain, thousands of people flocked to the FNB stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg, early Tuesday to attend the memorial service for former President Nelson Mandela.

Before the gates opened, large crowds of mourners have queued for hours to bid farewell to one of the world's most loved statesmen.

"I was here before 02:00 a.m. I did not want to miss this day. I am here to say thank you, rest in peace Madiba," said 31-year- old Amukelani Mazibuko who came from Thembia, about 80 km from the venue.

Mandela, South Africa's first black president, died at his Johannesburg home on Dec. 5 at the age of 95.

"This is history in making," Mbuyiselo Nyanda of Soweto said.

More than 100 heads of state and government, as well as current and past presidents, will attend the memorial service. International and regional organizations will be also represented. Key dignitaries include United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon and African Union Commission Chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

"I want to be party of this crowd saying goodbye to Madiba. Go well, African hero," said another mourner Mohapi Nkoeneane.

Gauteng Province premier Nomvula Mokonyane said on Tuesday that the provincial government beefed up free public transport with extra 740 trains to make it 5,000 in total to carry mourners to the stadium. The bus started ferrying people as early as 04:00 a.m.

The national government on Monday said over 150 public viewing sites will be open across the nation for people who will not make it to the stadium.

Outside the stadium, mourners sang songs in praise of Mandela, some bursting into tears. "Nelson Mandela, Nelson Mandela Haunaye ofana niwena (Nelson Mandela, Nelson Mandela there is none like you)."

"Tata (father) was a true comrade," Amukelani Bhekisile Gaza told Xinhua.

"He was a true revolutionary," 29-year-old Ncamisile Khumoyame said, as a group of young men were lying in the wet ground, imitating struggle veterans in a battle.

From the FNB stadium, Mandela's body will be taken to the Union Buildings in Pretoria where it will lie in state for three days, beginning from Dec. 11.

From there it will be taken to Qunu, Eastern Cape Province, Mandela's native place where he would be buried on Dec. 15.