13 December 2013
Government is grateful to all the people of South Africa who have come out in their numbers, some travelling from other provinces, to bid farewell to President Nelson Mandela at the Union Buildings.
The response has been overwhelming and heartwarming with 12000-14000 paying homage to Tata Madiba on day one with two people passing every three seconds on day two.
As at 07h30 this morning Friday 13 December, there were thousands of people at the various park and ride facilities:
- 10000 at the Fountains Valley Circle
- 25000 at the Pretoria Showgrounds
- 7000 at the LC de Villiers Sports Centre
- 8000 at the Union Buildings.
We cannot guarantee that every person who is presently in the queues at the various centres will be given access to the Union Buildings.
We urge people to please NOT make their way to the park and ride facilities.
Any additional numbers will make it physically impossible for people to be safely transported to the Union Buildings and get the opportunity to file past the body.
We appeal to members of the public who have not had the opportunity to pay their respects to President Mandela at the Union Buildings, to say goodbye in their own personal way.
We ask you to please attend events that have been arranged in various areas of the country to say goodbye to Tata Madiba. A list of memorial services taking place today are available on the website www.mandela.gov.za.
We also reassure the public that all events will be broadcast live on all SABC platforms, eNCA and community radio stations.
Enquiries
Phumla Williams
Acting Government Spokesperson
083 501 0139
012 473 0389
Issued by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
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