Mandela lies in state: Thousands more queue to see 'Madiba'

People who were unable to gain entry to the Union Buildings on Wednesday can try again

Mourners in South Africa are in long queues to view the body of ex-President Nelson Mandela for a second day.

Thousands of people filed past Mr Mandela's body, which was lying in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, on Wednesday.

His widow Graca Machel and President Jacob Zuma were among those to pay their respects.

Mr Mandela, known by his clan name Madiba, died last Thursday at the age of 95 and will be buried on Sunday.

His funeral will take place in his home village of Qunu in Eastern Cape province.

Mr Mandela's body was again taken from the mortuary to the Union Buildings on Thursday, arriving at around 07:45 local time (05:45 GMT).

People lined the streets to watch the coffin being taken to the government buildings where Mr Mandela was sworn in as South Africa's first black president in 1994.

'Fitting tribute'

The government has said there are no plans to release official photographs of Mr Mandela lying in state, respecting the family's wishes.

Huge crowds queued to visit the open casket on Wednesday, tolerating long waits and stringent security checks.

Thousands were successful, but many were turned away before public viewing ended at 17:30 (15:30 GMT).

Long lines of people waited to view the body of Mr Mandela at the building where he was sworn in as president

Mr Mandela's widow Graca Machel was among those to file past the coffin on Wednesday

People formed a "guard of honour" as the coffin was taken to the Union Buildings on Wednesday morning

Many returned on Thursday for another chance.

"My heart is so broken," Anita Bodiba, 35, who arrived at 04:30 local time (02:30 GMT) to join the queue, told the AFP news agency.

"I can't even sleep, I'm thinking of Madiba. He is the one who united us here in South Africa -- white people, black people, Indian people," she said.

In a statement, the Mandela family said the proceedings were a "fitting tribute".

"As he lies in peace at the Union Buildings, Madiba would be happy to know he is surrounded by thousands of South Africans, whom he loved and served - or served with - in the prosecution of the just struggle for democracy, and in laying the foundations in 1994 for a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic South Africa," they said.

"We are humbled that millions of South Africans who loved him, stood by him through his trials and tribulations, supported him... can now join us in bidding him farewell."

Correspondents said Mr Mandela's body could be seen through a glass screen, dressed in one of his trademark patterned shirts.

At each end of the casket stood two navy officers clad in white uniforms, with their swords pointing down.

Some mourners stopped briefly to pray, while a number of people reportedly fainted.

Among the dignitaries to file past were former President FW de Klerk, Mr Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and musician and activist Bono.

The U2 singer accompanied Mr Mandela's long-time aide Zelda Le Grange.

Meanwhile tens of thousands of South Africans attended a free concert in Cape Town on Wednesday to celebrate Mr Mandela's life.

Soldiers help a woman who collapsed after filing past the casket

Singer Annie Lennox was among those who performed in tribute to the anti-apartheid leader.