page_title: Death of Nelson Mandela
section_title: Official funeral events
hierarchical_section_title: Death of Nelson Mandela / Official funeral events
caption_attribution_description: English: The South African Flag flying on half mast outside the Donkin Reserve in Port Elizabeth during the national mourning period for Nelson Mandela. It is said to be the tallest flagpole in Africa, and the largest South African flag in the world Deutsch: Die südafrikanische Flagge weht auf halbmast in Port Elizabeth während der offiziellen Trauerperiode zum Tod von Nelson Mandela. Hierbei handelt es sich um die größte südafrikanische Flagge auf dem höchsten Fahnenmast in Südafrika.
context_page_description: On 5 December 2013, Nelson Mandela, the first President of South Africa to be elected in a fully representative democratic election, as well as the country's first black head of state, died at the age of 95 after suffering from a prolonged respiratory infection. He died at around 20:50 local time at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa, surrounded by his family. His death was announced by then President Jacob Zuma. Reactions from governments, international organizations, and notable individuals, gained worldwide media coverage.
  South Africa observed a national mourning period of 10 days,
  During this time numerous memorial services were conducted across the country. The official memorial service was held at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, on 10 December where the 95,000 seat stadium was two-thirds full because of the cold, rain, and transport challenges. His body lay in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria from 11 to 13 December 2013. A state funeral was held on 15 December 2013 in Qunu in the Eastern Cape, where his body was buried.
  President Zuma announced Mandela's death on national television on 6 December 2013 at 23:45 local time.
context_section_description: The South African government announced a period of 10 days of national mourning ending with the state funeral on 15 December 2013.  President Jacob Zuma ordered that all flags on government buildings be flown at half-mast for the duration of the mourning period.
  On 9 December the government confirmed that at least 91 foreign heads of state and government and 15 former leaders would travel to South Africa to attend funeral events. African heads of state confirmed to be attending include the Prime Minister of Lesotho, the President of Mozambique, the President of Namibia, the President of Niger, the President of Nigeria, the Prime Minister of Swaziland, the President of Tanzania, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, , the President of Namibia, the President of Tunisia, the President of Uganda, the President of Zimbabwe, and the President of Zambia. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma attended in her capacity as Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
  Other notable guests included: 
  Heads of State: the President of the United States and three former presidents of the United States; the President of India; the Prime Minister of Italy; the Vice President of China; the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia; the President of Brazil; the President of Finland; the President of France; the President of Ireland; the President of Portugal; the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; the President of Germany and Chancellor of Germany; the Prime Minister of Australia; two former Governors General of Canada, the Prime Minister of Canada, and four former Prime Ministers of Canada; the Prime Minister of Jamaica; the Prime Minister of Jordan; and the President of Afghanistan.
  Royal dignitaries include: the King of the Netherlands, the King of Belgium, the Prince of Wales, the Prince of Asturias, the Crown Prince of Denmark, the Crown Princess of Sweden, the Crown Prince of Norway, the Crown Prince of Japan, and the Queen Rania of Jordan.
  Multilateral leaders include: the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Commonwealth Secretary General, the President of the European Commission and representatives from other organizations such as the IMF amd the World Bank Group.
caption: The largest South African flag flying half-mast at the Donkin Reserve, Port Elizabeth.
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