Africa

Nelson Mandela buried in rural hometown

Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela was buried on Sunday in his rural hometown of Qunu, South Africa.

The services included helicopters carrying South African flags, a flyover by five fighter jets, a 21-gun salute and the traditional rites of his clan, according to Reuters.

{mosads}”Now you have achieved the ultimate freedom in the bosom of God, your maker,” a presiding military chaplain told said, the news service reported.

Mandela, who became the first black South African president after 27 years in prison, died earlier this month at the age of 95. He had suffered from poor health for a year.

His body lay in state this past week in Pretoria.

“Today marks the end of an extraordinary journey that began 95 years ago,” South African President Jacob Zuma said during the ceremony, according to CNN. “It is the end of 95 glorious years of a freedom fighter … a beacon of hope to all those fighting for a just and equitable world order.”

The Telegraph reported that Prince Charles and Oprah Winfrey were among the dignitaries and international VIPs who attended the church service.