ICYMI: All you need to know for Ma Winnie’s burial today in Fourways
CRAIGAVON – Take caution and use alternative routes for tomorrow's funeral procession of struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
Traffic will be diverted for the funeral procession of the late struggle stalwart, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as of 12 noon today, 14 April.
According to Metro police spokesperson, Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, the procession will proceed from the Orlando Stadium onto the N1 north, left into William Nicol Drive and left into Cedar Road and then turn into the private road of Fourways Memorial Park.
“Police officers will block off traffic as the funeral procession proceeds along the route until approximately 1.30pm,” Minnaar said.
He also explained that all the roads from Inchanga Road to the Fourways Memorial Park will be closed from 12.30pm to accommodate the funeral procession. “The road will be closed again at 2.30pm at the end of the burial ceremony to accommodate the procession out of the Memorial Park.”
The funeral procession is reported to be attended by 500 vetted delegates, the police and the South African National Defence Force.
Future City Fourways’ Jean Berdou explained that Madikizela-Mandela will be honoured with a 19-gun salute opposed to a 21-gun salute because she was not a state official, however a high commissioner.
“I call upon the community to take careful note of these times, to make proper alternative travel plans and to expect and prepare for the substantial noise of the official 19-gun salute that is set to take place between 12 noon and 1.30pm,” Berdou explained.
“The elderly, children, pets and persons of a nervous disposition must be properly prepared and necessary precautions must be taken for their safety and convenience. I also wish to caution the community that these times may vary depending on any delays in proceedings at Orlando Stadium or along the official routes.”
The general manager of the SPCA in Sandton, Jaco Pieterse stated that seeing that the community has been warned about the gun salute, he advised that people need to take responsibility of their pets during that time.
Pieterse advised that people should follow these tips:
- Keep pets indoors
- Make sure you are home to take care of your pets
- You can purchase calming tablets from your vets
- During the salute, you can play music to your pets when indoors.Also, keep animals in a room where there are no low windows or else the pets will be able to jump over them.Filler: What do you think of the 19-gun salute that will take place for the struggle icon, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela? Share your views on the Fourways Review Facebook page
