FCO updates South Africa advice as Mandela memorial and funeral approach
Travellers to South Africa are being warned of travel disruption and a possible shortage of accommodation over the coming days following the death of former president Nelson Mandela.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also urged visitors to be vigilant and avoid large crowds or demonstrations.
Mandela’s state funeral will take place in Qunu, in Eastern Cape province, on Sunday 15 December, attended by dignitaries from all over the world including Prince Charles.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) there will be a larger public memorial service at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, attended by David Cameron and other world leaders and members of the public.
The Queen, 87, will not attend either event as she has reportedly been advised to avoid long-distance flights where possible.
The FCO said: "If you are visiting South Africa or intend to do so in the next week, you may experience some disruption to your travel and possibly accommodation shortages, particularly in the Johannesburg, Pretoria and Eastern Cape areas.
"You are advised to be vigilant and avoid large crowds or demonstrations."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt