This is an historic event holding today, the State Funeral Programme for the late iconic leader and former president of Nelson Mandela. We thought the funeral programme would interest our leaders and is something to preserve for posterity.
AT HOME
Family Valedictory Service – Rev V Nyobole
Opening Devotions
Viewing of the body; Homily; Draping of the casket; Placing of the casket on the gun carriage and forming up of procession; Procession departs for the marquee
MARQUEE SERVICE
Funeral Service
National Anthem; Opening devotions: Bishop D Dabula
Madiba Family Representative – Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima
Close friend – Mr Ahmed Kathrada
Reading of the Obituary
Tribute by the children and grandchildren: Ms Nandi Mandela
Tribute by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn (AU Chairperson)
Tribute by President Joyce Banda (SADC Chairperson)
Tribute by President Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania)
Oration by President Jacob Zuma
Sermon and Benediction – Bishop Z Siwa; Military Ceremony – Chaplain-General of the SANDF; Movement of Designated Mourners to the Gravesite; Military Procession
AT THE GRAVESITE
President and family are seated at the gravesite
Removal of the Orders, Decorations, Medals and Miniature RSA Flag from the coffin by the SANDF to be handed over to the Chief of the SANDF who hands it over to the President for presentation to the next-of-kin.
Undraping of the casket
Pall-bearers salute and withdraw
Military pall-bearers take up position
Playing of the National Anthem, 21 Round Interment Salute and the Salute Flight
The Last Post is sounded
Sounding of Reveille
Military pall-bearers salute and withdraw
Committal Service by Bishop D Dabula
Vote of thanks: Major-General (retired) Bantu Holomisa
Benediction – Bishop D Dabula