Today, South African President Jacob Zuma announced that the funeral of fallen human rights icon, and the first black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela will be laid to rest on Friday, Dec. 15 in his childhood village of Ounu. The president also announced there would be a national day of "prayer and reflection" on Dec. 8 and a memorial service on Dec. 10.
The White House announced today that President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will be traveling to South Africa next week "to pay their respects to the memory of Nelson Mandela and to participate in memorial events."
Mandela's mortal remains will lie in state buildings in Pretoria from Dec. 11 to Dec 13. The 95-year-old anti-apartheid leader died on Wednesday, Dec. 5 from complications due to a long fight with a lung infection.