Thousands welcome Mandela hearse home

Nelson Mandela's body arrives in his ancestral village

The body of Nelson Mandela has arrived in Qunu, the small rural village where he grew up, ahead of his burial there tomorrow.

Mourners carry a photo of Nelson Mandela as the hearse travels through Credit: Reuters

The hearse carrying the coffin of Nelson Mandela has arrived at his hometown, ahead of tomorrow's state funeral.

Mourners stand by the road as a hearse containing the coffin of Nelson Mandela makes its way through Mthatha. Credit: Reuters

At the Mthatha airport the coffin was welcomed by a military guard and placed in a convoy for the 20 mile journey toward Qunu.

Residents and people who had travelled for hours thronged a road leading to Qunu, singing and dancing as Mandela T-shirts were handed out.

Mourners march before the funeral procession of former South African President Nelson Mandela. Credit: Reuters

His widow, Graca Machel, and his former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, tearfully embraced at Mthatha airport when the coffin arrived.

Last updated Sat 14 Dec 2013