Nelson Mandela's childhood village of Qunu prepares for his final return

In Nelson Mandela's childhood village of Qunu, residents are solemnly waiting to lay him to rest a week from now.

Elderly men in the picturesque village dotted with traditional round huts bow their heads and lower their voices when they speak of the anti-apartheid hero who has "returned to his ancestors".

There has been no explosion of public emotion, unlike in Johannesburg, no singing to celebrate Mandela's 95 years, no all-night vigils.

His home, overlooking the hills and valleys of the Eastern Cape - where Mandela said he spent his happiest childhood days - is sombre and eerily quiet.

"We are in mourning. He deserves our greatest last respects," said Chief Mfundo Mtirara, Mandela's nephew.

Mtirara had the difficult task of breaking the news of Mandela's death to close relatives.

"A great man is gone. We are deeply saddened, even though we knew that this day would come," he said. "He deserved our respect while he was still alive, so we are going to continue to give him that respect even in death," said Mtirara, who lives near Mandela's homestead.