Honour guard: The South African National Defence Force aircraft taking the casket is escorted by two fighter jets as it flies the former president on his final journey homeĪfter the ceremony, the former president's remains were taken on board a military plane and flown to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, where it was to be greeted by a full military ceremony. The Prince of Wales will also attend and is expected to arrive with the British High Commissioner Judith Macgregor in Qunu, the remote village where the South African president grew up. Some 4,000 people have been invited to attend the funeral of the anti-apartheid hero including family members, African leaders and several heads of states. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate and occasional critic of the current government, did speak at an earlier a memorial service in Soweto. He also welcomed Mr Mandela into his home after his fellow campaigner's release from jail. Mr Tutu worked with the former South African president in his long struggle against apartheid. She is chief executive of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation. 'The archbishop is not an accredited clergyperson for the event and thus will not be attending,' said Rev Mpho Tutu, the archbishop's daughter, in a statement. Speaking to Sky News, he said: 'Much as I would have loved to attend the service to say a final farewell to someone I loved and treasured, it would have been disrespectful to Tata to gatecrash what was billed as a private family funeral.' The retired 82-year-oldsaid he received 'no indication' he had been invited to the burial service. On social media the cleric's Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation posted: 'Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will be travelling to Qunu early tomorrow to attend Tata's funeral.'Įarlier, it was suggested the cleric was not accredited to attend the event. Mr Tutu's office said in a brief statement: 'Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will be traveling to Qunu early tomorrow to attend Tata's funeral.'
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