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South Africa prepares to welcome world leaders

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa is readying itself for the arrival of a flood of world leaders for the funeral and memorial services for former president Nelson Mandela as thousands of mourners continue to flock to sites around the country to pay homage to the freedom struggle icon.

South Africa Nelson Mandela mourning
A child waves goodbye to a statue of Nelson Mandela as other visitors sign the condolence register at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday Dec. 7, 2013. Flags were lowered to half-staff and people in black townships, in upscale mostly white suburbs and in South Africa’s vast rural grasslands commemorated Nelson Mandela with song, tears and prayers on Friday while pledging to adhere to the values of unity and democracy that he embodied. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Among those who have already indicated that they will be travelling to South Africa to honor Mandela, who died at his Johannesburg home at the age of 95 on Thursday night, are U.S. President Barack Obama and his two predecessors, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff will also be among the guests.

A week of mourning, with several events planned, has been declared by the government. Mandela will be buried in his rural hometown in the Eastern Cape on Sunday 15.

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Article from: bigstory.ap.org

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South Africa prepares to welcome world leaders

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