Hoardes of visitors heading for Qunu

The Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu (Image: Wiki Images)

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 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," she added.

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 10 km from Qunu.

The Star reported that the Mandela family in Qunu was preparing for the funeral of Florence Mandela, the wife of one of the son's of the Nelson Mandela's uncle. She died last week aged 96 and her funeral will be held on Saturday.