Nelson Mandela's body lies in state for three days

Nelson Mandela’s body will be moved each day for three days to allow the nation a chance to pay their final respects to the anti-apartheid icon.

14:48 11 December 2013

With thousands of South Africans and hundreds of dignitaries filing past, Nelson Mandela’s body began lying in state on Wednesday at the Union’s Building in Pretoria. His remains will be moved each day for three days between the Military Hospital and Union’s Buildings.

Meanwhile, a public memorial service in London remembers the life of the anti-apartheid leader.

Sir Sydney Kentridge QC and Lord Joffe of Lindington, who represented Mandela at his treason trials, are expected to speak at the service together with African National Congress veteran Mama Thembi Nobhadula. 

Thousands of people are expected to pay their respects over the next few days before his burial on Sunday in his rural childhood village of Qunu in Eastern Cape Province. Among the dignitaries who will be at the burial will be the Prince of Wales.

Earlier in the week, several world leaders have paid tributes to Mandela. US President Barack Obama was one of those who gave a speech. He said: "He was not a bust made of marble, he was a man of flesh and blood, a son and a husband, a father and a friend - that is why we have learned so much from him and that is why we can learn from him still.

"Nothing he achieved was inevitable. In the arc of his life, we see a man who earned his place in history through struggle and shrewdness and persistence and faith."