In pictures: Nelson Mandela’s body arrives for viewing in Pretoria

People cheer as the funeral cortege carrying the coffin of former South African President Nelson Mandela leaves the 1 Military Hospital on the outskirts of Pretoria today, on its way to the Union Buildings. Thomas Mukoya / Reuters

Prison wardens and members of the public watch as the procession carrying the coffin of former President Nelson Mandela. Mike Hutchings / Reuters

Military outriders escort the funeral cortege. Thomas Mukoya / Reuters

Defense force personnel and hospital staff salute the procession for former South African president Nelson Mandela as it leaves the military hospital in Pretoria. Themba Hadebe / AP Photo

Defense force personnel and hospital staff salute the procession for former South African president Nelson Mandela as it leaves the military hospital in Pretoria. Themba Hadebe / AP Photo

Each morning Mandela’s remains will be transported from the mortuary to the government buildings in Pretoria. Themba Hadebe / AP Photo

Mandela’s body will lie in state for three dates. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/ Reuters

Mandela’s body will lie in state for three days. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/ Reuters

Prison wardens and members of the public watch as the procession carrying the coffin of former President Nelson Mandela makes its way past Pretoria Central Prison. Mike Hutchings / Reuters

Prison warderns and members of the public watch as the procession carrying the coffin of former President Nelson Mandela makes its way past Pretoria Central Prison. Mike Hutchings / Reuters

Mandela’s body will lie in state in Pretoria for three days. Marco Longari / AFP Photo

PRETORIA // The coffin of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, draped in the multicoloured South African flag, has arrived at the seat of power in the country’s capital for public viewing.

Motorcycle-riding police officers escorted the hearse this morning from 1 Military Hospital outside of Pretoria to the Union Buildings.

Some Pretoria residents lined the streets to watch the procession go by, singing tributes to Mandela, who died December 5 at age 95.

Mandela’s body will lie in state for three days in Pretoria, before being flown to Qunu, his home in the Eastern Cape Province. He will be buried on Sunday.