Mourners started gathering from the early hours on Saturday at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg for the funeral service of African National Congress struggle hero, the late Walter Sisulu.
The service is scheduled to begin at 9am, and around 50 000 people are expected to attend.
Among the early arrivals were Inkatha Freedom Party leader and Home Affairs Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi, and Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.
A private prayer service was still being held at the Sisulu family residence in Orlando shortly after 8am, after which the procession would make its way to the stadium.
Sisulu’s close friend former president Nelson Mandela and President Thabo Mbeki were expected to speak at the funeral.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mvume Dandala would oversee proceedings at Orlando Stadium and Croesus Cemetery respectively.
Sisulu died at his home in Linden, Johannesburg on May 5. He was one of many ANC leaders who fought for the end of apartheid, and had spent years in prison with Mandela during the struggle.
He would have turned 91 on Sunday — the day after his burial. Sisulu will be given a special state funeral, which was requested by Mbeki, in recognition of his contribution to the building of a non-racial, democratic South Africa. – Sapa