Ex-wife of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela Madikizela (L), and his widow Graca Machel upon their arrival with the remains of Nelson Mandela at the airport in Mthatha yesterday.

Agencies

Qunu, South Africa

Nelson Mandela’s remains were returned to his beloved rural childhood village on the eve of a traditional burial today, the final leg of his exceptional 95-year journey.

A funeral cortege with his flag-draped casket entered the gates of Mandela’s homestead in the remote village of Qunu, accompanied by a phalanx of military vehicles yesterday.

Mandela will be buried near the homestead, ending 10 days of national mourning and global tributes for the prisoner-turned-president who transformed his country and inspired the world.

“This is history,” said Ndumiso Jaca, 49, as the cortege drove out of view through the gates.

“The world will never be the same again.”

Today’s funeral will begin at 8am (0600 GMT) with a two-hour ceremony for 5,000 people, with foreign dignitaries expected to include Britain’s Prince Charles.

South Africa’s retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu will attend the funeral of his friend and fellow anti-apartheid hero Mandela, his spokesman said yesterrday, signalling a change of heart after a dispute over his invitation.

Tutu, like Mandela a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, had earlier said he would not be going to the burial service in Qunu in Eastern Cape province because he had not received a formal invitation or any indication that he was on the guest list.

Amid public anger, the ANC scrambled to douse the flames, with Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane saying: “Archbishop Tutu’s name was submitted by a list of guests we received from church leaders for accreditation.”

Tutu was “number six” on the list and was accredited for the Qunu funeral, Chabane said.

“Whether he comes or not is his choice. He’s accredited, if he wants to come, he’s welcome.”

Earlier a C-130 Hercules escorted by two fighter jets carried Mandela’s casket from the capital Pretoria to his native Eastern Cape.

The homecoming of Mandela’s body was greeted by thousands of waiting mourners and a full military guard of honour.

A sombre mood soon changed to cheers as the crowd - many dressed in free T-shirts bearing Mandela’s face - welcomed the return of their hero with joy and pride.

“I’m just telling him welcome, welcome home!” said Mxhasi Mpikwa, in upper Qunu, born in the same month of 1994 that saw South Africa’s first all-race vote and Mandela’s election as the first black president.

Military personnel lined the route, along with small groups of people singing anti-apartheid songs and songs in praise of the iconic statesman.

“He is finally coming home to rest, I can’t even begin to describe the feeling I have inside,” said 31-year-old Bongani Zibi.

“Part of me is sad but I’m also happy that he has found peace.”