Close family and friends of late African National Congress (ANC) stalwart Adelaide Tambo started gathering at her home in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, on Saturday morning for a private valedictory service, South African Broadcasting Corporation news reported.
A procession was to leave her home later for Wattville Stadium on the East Rand, where thousands of people were expected to attend her funeral.
Tambo, who died last Wednesday aged 77, would be laid to rest beside her late husband in the Tamboville Cemetery at about 1pm.
Former president Nelson Mandela and President Thabo Mbeki were expected to address mourners.
The ANC said earlier this week that it expected 10 000 people to attend the funeral.
Mandela would deliver a message of condolence and Mbeki would give the funeral speech at the stadium, ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama told a media briefing at the Tambos’ Johannesburg home on Thursday.
Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane would deliver the sermon.
”The funeral service will be a fitting tribute to an outstanding patriot and a heroine of the nation,” Ngonyama said.
The ANC national executive committee, MPs and the diplomatic corps were among those also expected to attend the funeral. — Sapa