Cape Town tunes in to the funeral

LIVE broadcasts of Nelson Mandela’s state funeral at Qunu tomorrow will be screened at venues across the city.

A big screen in the grounds of Parliament, which will be open from 8am to 8pm today, and until 6pm tomorrow, will show the funeral. DStv channel 408 and its YouTube channel will also broadcast the event.

Parliament said 21 condolence books had been filled and more would be made available.

Visitors can view an audiovisual exhibition of Madiba’s speeches and exchanges in Parliament.

Tonight the City of Cape Town will host a vigil at the Grand Parade from 6pm. Performances by drummer Mapumba Cilombo will be followed by the Young Men’s Sporting Club Choir and the Cape Town Tribute Band with Blackie Tempi. At about 8pm tributes to Madiba will be given by Freshlyground, Arno Carstens and Jimmy Nevis.

The live screening of the funeral tomorrow will also be broadcast at various locations across the province. At the Grand Parade there will be performances by Goldfish, Emo Adams and the Delft Youth Jazz Band after the funeral. Other acts will include the Madiba Jive by Trenton and Free Radical, and performances by drummer Mapumba Cilombo, the Cedric Samson Band and the Freelight Dancers.

Free bus transport will be provided by MyCiTi and Golden Arrow from 7am to 5pm.

Train commuters can travel for free aboard Metrorail carriages into town between 7am and 9am, and out of the city from 12pm to 5pm.

Other screenings will be at Vygieskraal Stadium, Athlone, OR Tambo hall in Khayelitsha, Swartklip Sports Complex in Mitchells Plain and Wesfleur Sports Complex, Atlantis.

janis.kinnear@inl.co.za