Sunday morning saw the holding of a special council meeting assembled by the City of Cape Town’s public representatives in honour of the late former South African president, Nelson Mandela.

The council meeting was convened with an agenda solely focused on allowing the city to pay special tribute to Mandela and creating an event that would act as a unified response to the statesman’s passing. The meeting thus resulted in the council’s approval of an estimated R72-million ($ 7.2 million) operating budget directed at implementing a contingency plan that will allow such an event to occur.

The council reported the decision as unanimous and that the budget “will allow the residents of Cape Town to honour the passing of the foremost South African in a calm, dignified manner and in a safe environment before the eyes of the world.”

The city has planned a to take a series of measures that will allow its residents to have convenient and free access to the events and venues close to their homes.

Bus services, MyCiTi and Golden Arrow, have been authorised by the city to give free transportation over the course of the allocated period for the service that will be held at the Grand Parade, the remembrance and the funeral service. This will enable free access while the council compensates for the large loss in bus fares and other associated costs that will occur during the period.

Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille, tearfully paying tribute to Mandela, said the city had a special relationship with Madiba who was given Freedom of the City of Cape Town in 1997.

“With this award, we made Madiba a living part of this government and this city.”

Cape Town’s city council has confirmed plans for a day of remembrance held at the Cape Town Stadium that will take place on Wednesday the 11th of December and events at the Grand Parade and City Hall.