Johannesburg - As former president Nelson Mandela spends his fourth day in hospital, his home village of Qunu was preparing for throngs of visitors, the Sowetan reported.
Some residents were preparing to turn their homes into home-stay accommodation, as they said there might not be enough place in the village should the ailing icon die, according to the report.
Villagers, who did not want to be named, told the newspaper there were only three bed and breakfasts (B&B) in the village.
An employee at one of the residences said the house had been converted into a 10-room B&B and had previously accommodated many foreigners who came to the village to see Mandela's home.
Nowinothi Geledwana, 63, told the newspaper she had previously rented out some rooms in her house and expected to do so again, should there be a demand.
“I have about three to four rooms that are available and can be rented out should people prefer home-stay accommodation in Qunu,” Geledwana was quoted as saying.
“I really don't know how much I will charge for them, but I'm sure I will make some profit.”
Apart from accommodation provided by residents, the Nelson Mandela Museum in the village also had accommodation for 60 people, while there was a plush guesthouse less than 10km from Qunu.
The Star newspaper reported the Mandela family in Qunu was preparing for another relative's funeral.
Florence Mandela, the wife of one of the son's of the elder statesman's uncle, died last week aged 96.
Florence's funeral would be held on Saturday. - Sapa