Recognising that many city residents will want to pay their final respects to Johannesburg’s most revered resident, Nelson Mandela, the City of Johannesburg has arranged free public transport to the memorial venues.
Executive Mayor Parks Tau said the City of Johannesburg is honoured to be hosting the memorial service for recently deceased former South African president, Nelson Mandela.
“We commit to offer the best possible service to our residents and visitors. We have made a number of plans to enable our residents and visitors to commemorate the life of Nelson Mandela,” he explained.
The memorial service will be held at 11:00 on Tuesday, 10 December at the FNB Stadium in Nasrec. The stadium seats some 90 000 people. The City has been planning transport arrangements for the service, recognising that many South Africans would like to attend the service.
“We want to make sure that all members of the public get there safely and on time,” he said.
“I urge mourners to plan how they are going to get to the National Memorial Service venues and to decide which one they want to attend.”
When the FNB Stadium is full, mourners will be directed to three other stadia in the city: Ellis Park and the Soweto-based Orlando and Dobsonville stadia. Tau urged people to walk or use public transport as all roads around the venues will be closed. Metrorail, Rea Vaya, Gautrain, Metrobus and Putco will be running buses to the venues. Park and ride services will also be operating and all transport to the venues will be free.
Transport services will be operating from 5:00, and the gates to the stadium open at 6:00.
The mayor stressed that no night vigil would be taking place at the stadium on Monday evening.
He urged mourners plan their trips to take account of the road closures and crowds.
“Entrance to FNB Stadium is on a first come, first serve basis,” he said. “Mourners are also encouraged to listen to their local radio stations and follow social media.”
People are encouraged to arrive early at the stadiums.
Normal bus services, including the Rea Vaya services, will be disrupted, while Putco would endeavour to run a normal service.