Since the early hours of this morning people have filled the stadium, where the former statesman’s memorial will be held, waving South African flags and draped in blankets bearing Madiba’s face.
The atmosphere is upbeat as struggle songs and dancing filter through the 95 000 seat stadium.
However, in the midst of the united celebrations for Mandela, pockets of confrontations erupted at the stadium when informal traders and the stadium’s kiosk traders clashed.
According to Caxton Newspapers reporter Aimee McGill, who is at the stadium, large groups of informal traders apparently began threatening the stadium’s traders after being prohibited from operating at the stadium.
However, Metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said he was not aware of any incidents at the stadium.
He did confirm that informal traders are not allowed to trade at the stadium because it is a non-designated area.
