Johannesburg (CNN) — For the Xhosa people of
South Africa, death is traditionally not something to be talked about or
to be planned for, no matter how inevitable or close it may seem.
But those close to Nelson Mandela had little choice as the country’s
first black leader lay in a Pretoria hospital and then at home in
Johannesburg on life support.
In the final years of his life, secret plans were hammered out
between the government, the military and his family as they prepared for
a fitting farewell for a great man.
CNN has an exclusive account of how those plans will unfold over the
next 10 days, culminating in a state funeral to be broadcast to millions
worldwide and a very private farewell for those closest to him.
As is often the case with events of this magnitude, plans might
change due to weather, security and other factors. But for now, this is
what the authorities and the family hope to will happen.
According to multiple sources involved with the planning of the final
farewell to the South African icon, the 10 days of mourning will
combine both Western traditions and those of the Thembu, Mandela’s
native clan.
Day 1 to Day 4
Mandela passed away at 8.50 p.m. Thursday (1.50 p.m. ET), surrounded by his family, South African President Jacob Zuma said.
CNN understands that during his final hours, Mandela would have also been surrounded by Thembu elders.
Importantly, at some stage – either at his home or in the mortuary –
the traditional leaders will gather for a first ceremony, a tradition
called “the closing of the eyes.”
Throughout the ceremony, they’ll be talking to Mandela, as well as to
his tribal ancestors, to explain what’s happening at each and every
stage to ease the transition from life to beyond.
After the ceremony, it’s believed Mandela’s body will be embalmed at
the mortuary, which is understood to be a military hospital in Pretoria.
Day 5
No formal public events will be held until five days after Mandela’s
death when tens of thousands of people are expected to converge on the
FNB Stadium, known as Soccer City in Soweto for a memorial service.
It was at that stadium that in July 2010 Mandela made his last public appearance at the World Cup final.
Spectators rose to their feet, their cheers partly drowned out by the
deafening shriek of thousands of vuvuzelas to pay tribute to the
then-92- year-old who some had feared might be too infirm to show up.
In stark contrast to the mood of elation, the atmosphere on Day 5 is
expected to hang heavy with grief as a nation mourns Madiba.
It is unclear whether Mandela’s casket will be there.
Some world leaders might attend this memorial service instead of the state funeral later on in the week.
A White House Official tells CNN the administration is working on
plans for President Barack Obama to travel to South Africa to attend the
memorial service.
Day 6 to 8
According to sources, Mandela’s body will then lie in state for three
days at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the seat of power of the South
African government.
The first day will be reserved for dignitaries. The public will be
allowed to file past his casket on days 7 and 8. Viewing hours are
expected to be limited to daylight. Long lines will likely form from the
very early hours of the morning.
It was at the historic Union Buildings that Mandela was inaugurated
as president on May 10, 1994. On that extraordinary day, crowds
converged around the building to witness history being made.
That day, a former political prisoner achieved what was once
unthinkable and became South Africa’s first post-apartheid black leader.
Day 9
Nine days after Mandela’s death, a military aircraft will leave a
Pretoria airbase and fly south to Mthatha, the main town in the South
African province of Eastern Cape.
Thembu elders and members of the Mandela family make the journey with Mandela’s casket.
Thousands of mourners are expected to line the streets from Mthatha
airport to watch as the military transports Mandela’s casket on a gun
carriage to the remote village of Qunu, where the former leader spent
his childhood years.
Along the way the procession is expected to pause for prayers to allow ordinary South Africans to pay their respects.
Once at Mandela’s house, the military will formally pass responsibility for his remains to his family.
The South African flag that is expected to be draped over the coffin
will be replaced with a traditional Xhosa blanket, symbolizing the
return of one of their own.
At dusk, ANC leaders, local chiefs and Mandela’s family are expected
to gather for a private night vigil before a very public funeral the
next day.
Day 10
The funeral and burial will be on the grounds of Mandela’s Qunu home.
It’s expected that thousands of people, including dozens of heads of
state, will gather for the state funeral.
The funeral will take place under a large tent nestled in the hills where Mandela ran and played as a child.
A tight military cordon is expected, in an attempt to assuage
security fears. The event will be broadcast to an audience of millions
around the world.
At midday – when the summer sun is high in the sky – Mandela will be
buried into the rocky soil of his homeland. Only a few hundred close
family members will bid that final farewell to Mandela as he is laid to
rest.
The burial area has been especially built for him; some of Mandela’s
long deceased family members are already buried at the site.
It will be, according to custom, a homecoming.
His grave site is surrounded by rocky outcrops, hardy grass used for the grazing cattle and bright orange aloe plants.
The aloes are indigenous succulents which are hardy,
drought-resistant, medicinal plants that bloom across the bushveld when
all else is dry and dull.
A symbolic floral gesture to a man whose life was filled with
sacrifice and tragedy but who triumphed with a tenacity of spirit and
hope in even the darkest of days.
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