Tens of thousands of people are joining world
leaders at a memorial service for former South African President Nelson
Mandela in Johannesburg. The service is being held at the FNB stadium,
where Mr Mandela made his last public appearance. It is also being shown
on big screens at three "overflow" stadiums.
There had been fears people would be turned away, but the heavy rain left areas of the 95,000 capacity stadium empty.
The service is being held in front of a vociferous crowd in the FNB stadium.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu addresses the stadium, asking the crowd to be quiet - he "wants to hear a pin drop".
US President Barack Obama is welcomed by a
huge cheer from the crowd as he begins his speech, in which he
describes Mr Mandela as a "giant of history", adding: "The world thanks
you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us."
On his way to the podium, President Obama
shakes hands with Cuban President Raul Castro, an unprecedented gesture
between the leaders of two nations that have been at loggerheads for
more than half a century.
There were some boos for current South
African President Jacob Zuma, but his keynote address was respectfully
heard. He said Mr Mandela had been "one of a kind... a fearless freedom
fighter who refused to allow the brutality of the apartheid state to
stand in way of the struggle for the liberation of his people".
John Simpson, the BBC's World Affairs
Editor said: "Despite the difficulties - the driving rain and logistical
challenges - of organising this event, it must remain a source of
immense pride for South Africans that a memorial for one of their own
has attracted such an array of world dignitaries."
Those attending the service include US
President Barack Obama, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Cuban
President Raul Castro, French President Francois Hollande and British
Prime Minister David Cameron.
Nelson Mandela's widow Graca Machel
listens to the tributes including that by UN Secretary General Ban
Ki-moon who said: "Mandela hated hatred. Not the people. He showed
wholesome power of forgiveness. A unique gift."
Former British Prime Minister John Major (centre) greets former US Presidents George W Bush (right) and Bill Clinton (left).
Outside the stadium a man prepares to sell portraits of Mr Mandela.
The heavy rain continued as deputy
president of the ANC Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the crowd and welcomes
those in the stadium and those watching around South Africa and around
the world. He said: "In our tradition, when it rains when you are
buried, your gods are welcoming you to heaven."
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