Winnie Mandela, ex-wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, has viewed his body as it lies in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Hundreds of other dignitaries including his widow Graca Machel, Jacob Zuma, Robert Mugabe and Naomi Campbell are also lining up to pay their respects to the iconic South African anti-apartheid campaigner.Thousands of South Africans had lined the streets of Pretoria to pay their respects as Mr Mandela's body was taken to lie in state in a glass-topped coffin.
Members of the public formed a guard of honour as his coffin passed by fronted by a fleet of police outriders, at the start of what will be three days of mourning in the executive capital.
The coffin was draped in the multi-coloured South African flag as it arrived at the grand setting of the Union Buildings, seat of power in the country's capital and the place where the former leader was sworn in as president.
The same procession around Pretoria will take place each morning until Friday, with the coffin being returned to the military hospital each evening.
As the procession passed, mourners sang tributes to the former South African leader, who died last week at the age of 95.
Mandela's grandson Mandla and Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula led mourners into the viewing area. Soldiers set down the coffin and removed the flag.
Members of Mr Mandela's family and VIPs are paying their respects before the public are allowed in to view the body.
With worries about crowds, three sites have been set up in Pretoria from where mourners will be shuttled in to the Union Buildings and back.
People making their way to the sites told Sky's Alex Crawford they thanked Mr Mandela for their freedom.
"South Africa is mourning for the greatest icon that ever lived," one mourner said. "We are sad, we are crying; today we are going to witness him, we are going to see him and we are going to pray for him."
People have been told their mobile phones will have to be switched off and be put out of sight before they will be allowed to file past the body. No photos will be allowed.
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