A state funeral for Nelson Mandela in his
ancestral home of Qunu ends a week of commemorations for South Africa's
first black president.
Nelson Mandela spent much of his
childhood in the small, Eastern Cape village of Qunu - a place he chose
to return to after his release from prison. The ceremony is being held
in a marquee constructed for the event.
The President of South Africa Jacob Zuma
began his address in song and was joined by the audience. He went on to
say. "We wish today to express two simple words: thank you. Thank you
for being everything that we wanted and needed in a leader during a
difficult time in our lives. Whilst the long walk to freedom has ended
in the physical sense our own journey continues."
Inside the marquee, Nelson Mandela's portrait
had been placed behind 95 candles, representing one for each year of
the late president's life.
The gun carriage carrying Mr Mandela's
body began its journey to the marquee, signalling the start of singing,
and speeches reflecting on the life and achievements of Mr Mandela. 
People queue for buses before heading to
the Union Building in Pretoria, South Africa, where the body of former
South African president Nelson Mandela is lying in state for three days.
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