As news of the passing of the first black South African president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela sinks in, there has been profound sadness amid celebrations around the world in appreciation of his life.
As news of the passing of the first black South African president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela sinks in, there has been profound sadness amid celebrations around the world in appreciation of his life.
"South Africa lost its greatest son," President Jacob Zuma announced last Thursday night.
Since then the world has praised the father of freedom and equality, while watching South Africa closely.
More than 90 heads of state and royalty, politicians, religious figures and other dignitaries have come to South Africa to pay their respects.
His memorial service was held at the FNB stadium in Soweto where Mandela had his last public appearance before the 2010 World Cup finale.
Among dozens of world luminaries, thousands of South Africans gathered in the pouring rain to celebrate Mandela's life.
It was the biggest memorial service the world has seen to date, bigger than Pope John Paul's funeral. It brought together world leaders such as American President Barack Obama, Cuban President Raul Castro, Brazil's Dilma Rouseff, British Prime Minister David Cameron, India's Pranab Mukherjee, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his predecessor Kofi Annan.
Besides America's first family, three former American presidents George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter also came, along with about 26 congressmen.
Among the heads of European states who came to SA were Prince Charles, who will represent the Queen at the funeral, France's President Francois Hollande, his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy, German President Joachim Gauck, Spain's Prince Filipe, Dutch King Willem-Alexander, and even Slovenian President Borut Pahor.
In the spirit of Mandela's example of forgiveness and reconciliation, the world witnessed Obama and Castro shake hands for the first time, as well as Obama and Brazil's president talking for the first time since Rouseff cancelled her visit to the US after hearing allegations that the US spied on her phone calls.
It seems Mandela gave the world his last gift by uniting not only the nation, but the world.
Ki-moon, who expressed his condolences by saying South Africa will see the rainbow through the rain, said in his tribute to Mandela: "The world has lost a beloved friend and mentor. He was more than one of the greatest leaders of our time: he was the greatest teacher. He taught by example."
During Obama's speech he said, "He makes me want to be a better man", and called Madiba one of his own personal heroes. He said he personally enjoys the fruits of Mandela's hardship, courage and actions.
Other big names at the memorial service were Oprah Winfrey, Bono and Naomi Campbell.
A select number of heads of state and royalty will attend the funeral on Sunday at Qunu, while South Africans will gather to watch on big screens across the country.
