Johannesburg – All security plans are in place as South Africa gets ready to host a memorial service in honour of global icon Nelson Mandela, the police ministry told ENCA news on Tuesday morning.

“We are talking about Madiba here, so there is no margin for error,” spokesperson Zweli Mnisi told ENCA television news.

“We are quite pleased with the process.”

He said the various heads of state expected at the service – to be held at the FNB stadium in Soweto – were due to arrive an hour before proceedings began at 11:00.

Besides police officers, private security had also been deployed.

“Everything is on track,” Mnisi said.

On a rainy Tuesday morning, the stadium began rapidly filling up as many people sang, blew vuvuzelas, and danced in remembrance of Mandela.

Two stages were set up on the side of the pitch.

Mandela died surrounded by family at his Houghton, Johannesburg, home on Thursday, at the age of 95.

Friends, colleagues, comrades and family of Nelson Mandela are invited to share their memories and tributes, and to light a candle for him, on his profile at Remembered.co.za.
SAPA