The commemoration of the first anniversary of the death of former president Nelson Mandela will start with a wreath laying ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on December 5, government said on Thursday.

“Veterans of the struggle for freedom and those who fought side by side with Madiba against apartheid will be invited to lead the wreath laying,” Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini told journalists in Cape Town.

“This ceremony will be open to all South Africans and members of the public are invited also to visit the site throughout the day to lay wreaths.”

The wreath laying will start at 8am.President Jacob Zuma will be in China for a state visit on December 5.Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was expected to attend and address the official commemoration ceremony at Freedom Park in Pretoria later in the day on December 5.

Government would also be encouraging schools, factories, and places of worship to ring their bells and sirens at exactly three minutes and seven seconds before 10am to “call the country to attention”.

South Africans would be asked to observe a moment of silence up to 10.03am.

“You will notice that the time lapse from the ringing of the bells to the end of the moment of silence is six minutes, seven seconds. This is symbolic of the 67 years Madiba spent in the service of humanity,” said Dlamini.

“The moment of silence will be broken by the singing of.........SOURCE http://popafrica.com/plans-commemorate-mandelas-death/

great man,we africans will never forget u,your stories and achievemnt i will pass on to my kids who inturn will pass on to diers,u wil live forever in our hearts,u made us proud as an african

He was really great!