Qunu in South Africa’s Eastern Province is surrounded by a rural landscape where Nelson Mandela played as a young boy, where he was baptised and went to school.<br /><br />Now the isolated village is preparing to welcome the man known as the ‘Father of the Nation’ home to his final resting place. <br /><br />The emphasis of the state funeral will be on family. It is yet unclear how many world leaders will be present.<br /><br />On Sunday, in the local Episcopal church, villagers joined with millions around the world in remembering the 95-year-old local. In his lifetime he did not forget them and now The Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre stands in the village as a lasting memorial to their most famous son.<br /><br />The world will be watching as they lay him to rest with family and villagers saying a personal farewell. It was his wish to be buried here.<br /><br />“Tata Mandela means a lot to us. He built us schools and halls and a church and he has helped the community a lot,” said Jeke Silintile, a local lay preacher.