South African Airways is organising extra internal flights to East London airport in the Eastern Cape, and temporary extra infrastructure. But Mthatha airport, the closest to Qunu, has been set aside for heads of state, with its airspace closing to all other traffic from Friday, grounding many of the helicopters hired by news outlets. VIPs will be driven by luxury coach to the graveside.
Noxolo Kiviet, premier of the Eastern Cape, said the electricity, banking and retail sectors were ready for the influx, but there was little accommodation. She asked residents to help.
"I appeal to Eastern Cape citizens to open their homes and accommodate visitors to our province."
That request may have been heeded already. Thinus Ferreira, a South African blogger, claimed that Qunu residents were charging reporters 10 rand (about 60p) to use their long drop, or earth ditch, toilets. Meanwhile security was tightened in Qunu and there is a heavy military and police presence.
On Sunday line and kerb painters were out in force around Soccer City in Johannesburg, and potholes were being filled on routes in Pretoria along which Mandela's coffin will pass from Wednesday to Friday, when it is driven to lie in state in the Union Buildings each day and returned to the mortuary each night.
When Mandela reaches his final resting place on Sunday, it is believed his gravestone will convey a simplicity his funeral cannot. He asked for it to be inscribed with just the word Mandela.
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