A bus ride to say farewell to Nelson Mandela
- 11 years ago
They're waiting to say good-bye.
In Pretoria, South Africa, thousands are shuttled by public bus to where the body of the late anti-apartheid leader, Nelson Mandela, lies in state.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN MURPHY SAYING:
"Our hearts are breaking and we want to go and say good-bye."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BERNADENE SOLOMONS SAYING:
"It's the least you can do for a man that did such a great thing for this country - to bring us all together."
When they arrive, they'll wait again.
Thousands more are lining up to see Mandela's coffin at the Union Building.
That's where he was sworn in as South Africa's first black president.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED SOUTH AFRICAN MOURNER SAYING:
"Day one, I'm crying a lot, yeah."
For some, the bus ride is a pilgrimage of sorts.
Their hero, who died Thursday, has made the journey to the 'great beyond', they say, so surely they can make this trip to pay their last respects.
In Pretoria, South Africa, thousands are shuttled by public bus to where the body of the late anti-apartheid leader, Nelson Mandela, lies in state.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN MURPHY SAYING:
"Our hearts are breaking and we want to go and say good-bye."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BERNADENE SOLOMONS SAYING:
"It's the least you can do for a man that did such a great thing for this country - to bring us all together."
When they arrive, they'll wait again.
Thousands more are lining up to see Mandela's coffin at the Union Building.
That's where he was sworn in as South Africa's first black president.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED SOUTH AFRICAN MOURNER SAYING:
"Day one, I'm crying a lot, yeah."
For some, the bus ride is a pilgrimage of sorts.
Their hero, who died Thursday, has made the journey to the 'great beyond', they say, so surely they can make this trip to pay their last respects.