South Africa begins official mourning period for Mandela Some shed tears whilst others expressed their grief in song and dance. Those gathered outside Nelson Mandela's house in Houghton, Johannesburg have begun the process of mourning. President Jacob Zuma announced a week of events to mark the passing of the man considered the father of the nation. On Tuesday, a national memorial service will be held in the 95,000 capacity FNB stadium in Soweto. Mandela's body will remain in the seat of power in Pretoria until Friday, ahead of the funeral set to be held in the village of Qunu, where Mandela grew up and where his family still have a home.