QUNU, SOUTH AFRICA: Nelson Mandela Buried After State Funeral

Military escort

The ex-wife of Nelson Mandela,
 Winnie Mandela Madikizela,
and the widow of Nelson Mandela,
 Graca Machel at graveside.

QUNU, South Africa (AP) -- Big guns fired a salute in the rural village where Nelson Mandela grew up and military servicemen marched stiffly behind his casket on a winding dirt road Sunday as South Africa said goodbye for the last time to the man who reconciled the country in its most vulnerable period.

Several thousand guests, some singing and dancing, gathered in a huge tent at the family compound of the anti-apartheid leader, who died December 5 at the age of 95 after a long illness.

Guests included senior South African officials, veterans of the fight against white rule and foreign diplomats, including US Ambassador Patrick Gaspard. Britain's Prince Charles, entrepreneur Richard Branson and former Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai were also there.

Mandela's portrait was placed behind two rows of candles in the white, dome-shaped marquee. Outside, South African honour guards from the army, navy and air force marched in formation. Mandela's casket, covered by a national flag, was transported on a military vehicle to the tent, where pallbearers carried it on a red carpet into the tent where guests awaited. Read more: