The body of the former president Nelson Mandela is taken to the Union buildings in Pretoria.

Date: 11 Dec 2013
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

The body of the former president Nelson Mandela is taken to the Union buildings in Pretoria.

On 11 December 2013, Nelson Mandela’s body is taken to the Union buildings in Pretoria. As the body was transported from the Military Hospital people waiting guard of honour was formed in Madiba Street near to the Union Buildings. The body lay in State for three days with a glass top coffin so that people could view Mandela’s body. Members of public were singing as the body was taken out of the hearse. Mandela’s body travelled through the city from Thaba Tswane to the Union Building up until Friday. There were other places allocated for the body viewing which include Freedom Park, Salvokop, the palace of Justice and the Nelson Mandela Drive.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01The Guardian, Nelson Mandela: national day of prayer for country's 'guiding light' , 8 December 2016, Url number https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Nelson-Mandelas-body-at-Union-Buildings-20131211 Date Accessed: 17 November 2016. Independent Online Newspaper, Madiba lying in state, 11 December 2013, Url number https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/madiba-lying-in-state-1.1620420#.UqgQT_RdXm4, Date Accessed: 17 November 2016. N. Makhubo, Farewell on the streets of Pretoria, 11 December 2013, from Independent Online Newspaper, Url number https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/farewell-on-the-streets-of-pretoria-1.1620380#.UqgRbvRdXm4, Date Accessed: 17 November 2016.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2016, November 30). The body of the former president Nelson Mandela is taken to the Union buildings in Pretoria.. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0122429

South African History Online (2016) 'The body of the former president Nelson Mandela is taken to the Union buildings in Pretoria.', South African History Online, 30 November. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0122429 (Accessed: 20 August 2026).

South African History Online, The body of the former president Nelson Mandela is taken to the Union buildings in Pretoria. [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0122429, (accessed 20 August 2026).

"The body of the former president Nelson Mandela is taken to the Union buildings in Pretoria.." South African History Online, 30 Nov. 2016, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0122429. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "The body of the former president Nelson Mandela is taken to the Union buildings in Pretoria.." South African History Online. November 30, 2016. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0122429.