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Fri,Dec 6,2013
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Body of Mandela moved to Pretoria

(Xinhua)    18:19, December 06, 2013
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JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The body of former South African president Nelson Mandela was on Friday moved to the One Military hospital in Pretoria.

Several people, some with candles being lit and roses and cards, were placed in front of Mandela's old house in Vilakazi Street in Soweto, Johannesburg, on Friday morning.

A 67-year-old man constantly lit the candles as the wind blew them out.

People of different ages converged at his home showing praises of the anti-apartheid icon as they arrived at the house where Mandela once lived, and took photos.

A road close to his house, Vilakazi Street, was closed to traffic. People danced and sang struggle songs celebrating Mandela's life.

Most people wore clothes with his face printed on them or ANC T- shirts.

Sibongile Nxumalo, a 19-year-old girl, joined others to mourn the death of Mandela.

"At least I've witnessed his dead in my life time. May his soul rest in peace!" said Nxumalo.

She said Mandela was a wise man and a great icon who was going to be dearly missed by the world.

Local and international media also gathered at the house.

In Zulu, a group sang: "He is the soldier of Umkhonto and there is no one like him."

Seen in his pyjamas, Benedict Lestato said, "Nelson Mandela was a freedom fighter who made him go to school in a free democratic South Africa."

Fighting his tear back, Letsato sang some of the liberation songs. He said, "Freedom, Freedom in South Africa Tata (Mandela's clan Name). That is what you fought for."

(Editor:GaoYinan、Yao Chun)

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