Mandela's coffin arrives in his childhood village of Qunu

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Nelson Mandela’s coffin has arrived in Qunu, the village where he spent his childhood, on South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Thousands of people lined the streets – many singing and dancing – to glimpse the hearse as it passed by. In the crowd of revellers, Qunu resident Norma Khobo told reporters, “I couldn’t hold my excitement! It felt like I was holding him by the hand!” “Man, it was a magic moment. I had a bad feeling, but at the same time I had some joy, because this guy has fought for black and white to unite,” said another enthusiastic local, Thoko Nqadolo. Mandela – the anti-apartheid leader who went on to become South Africa’s first black president after spending 27 years in jail – died on December 5, aged 95. His funeral is being held in Qunu on Sunday, December 15.