South Africa lays to rest its "greatest son" Ten days of mourning for South Africa's first black president ended on Sunday with the burial of Nelson Mandela at his ancestral home in Qunu. As the coffin was lowered into the grave, army helicopters flew over bearing the South African flag. The state funeral service was a mix of military pomp and traditional native rights, attended by relatives, political leaders, and foreign guests. The Nobel peace laureate, who was held in apartheid prisons for 27 years before emerging to preach forgiveness, was 95 when he died. Candles for everyday of his life were lit in remembrance. But rehearsals have been carried out for one more ceremony. December 16 is a public holiday marking South Africa's Reconciliation Day. This year a giant statue is to be unveiled by President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria to the man they called the father of the Rainbow Nation.