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Mandela death: South Africa parliament to pay tribute Mandela death: South Africa parliament to pay tribute
(about 1 hour later)
South Africa's parliament is to meet to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, as world leaders prepare for Tuesday's memorial service.South Africa's parliament is to meet to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, as world leaders prepare for Tuesday's memorial service.
The special sitting comes at the start of a week of commemorative events before a state funeral on 15 December.The special sitting comes at the start of a week of commemorative events before a state funeral on 15 December.
Some 60 world leaders are expected to attend either the funeral or a national memorial service on Tuesday.Some 60 world leaders are expected to attend either the funeral or a national memorial service on Tuesday.
On Sunday, millions took part in a "day of prayer" to remember the country's first black president.On Sunday, millions took part in a "day of prayer" to remember the country's first black president.
Over the next eight days, a series of events will commemorate the man who steered their country out of white-minority rule.Over the next eight days, a series of events will commemorate the man who steered their country out of white-minority rule.
US President Barack Obama, Francois Hollande of France and UK PM David Cameron will be among those attending Tuesday's memorial at a Soweto stadium.US President Barack Obama, Francois Hollande of France and UK PM David Cameron will be among those attending Tuesday's memorial at a Soweto stadium.
On Saturday, Cuban state media announced that President Raul Castro would be one of those attending Mr Mandela's funeral.On Saturday, Cuban state media announced that President Raul Castro would be one of those attending Mr Mandela's funeral.
Under Mr Castro's brother Fidel, Cuba was a staunch critic of apartheid, and Mr Mandela had expressed gratitude for his support.Under Mr Castro's brother Fidel, Cuba was a staunch critic of apartheid, and Mr Mandela had expressed gratitude for his support.
Leaders and celebrities
Tuesday's memorial service is likely to be one of the biggest such gatherings of international dignitaries in recent years.Tuesday's memorial service is likely to be one of the biggest such gatherings of international dignitaries in recent years.
Among those on the list are UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, German President Joachim Gauck, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Crown Prince Felipe of Spain.
World leaders, global figures and celebrities will join 95,000 ordinary South Africans at the memorial service at FNB stadium in Soweto, where Nelson Mandela made his final major public appearance during the 2010 football World Cup.World leaders, global figures and celebrities will join 95,000 ordinary South Africans at the memorial service at FNB stadium in Soweto, where Nelson Mandela made his final major public appearance during the 2010 football World Cup.
The government said 59 leaders had so far confirmed they would be attending: an indication of the special place Mr Mandela held in people's hearts across the world, officials say.The government said 59 leaders had so far confirmed they would be attending: an indication of the special place Mr Mandela held in people's hearts across the world, officials say.
Among those on the list are UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, German President Joachim Gauck, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Crown Prince Felipe of Spain.
Three former US presidents, George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, will join President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.Three former US presidents, George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, will join President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and India's President Pranab Mukherjee will also be there.Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and India's President Pranab Mukherjee will also be there.
Leading celebrities in the anti-apartheid movement Peter Gabriel and Bono are also expected to attend as are former international leaders such as Martti Ahtisaari who, along with Mr Mandela, were part of a group known as The Elders, promoting peace and human rights.Leading celebrities in the anti-apartheid movement Peter Gabriel and Bono are also expected to attend as are former international leaders such as Martti Ahtisaari who, along with Mr Mandela, were part of a group known as The Elders, promoting peace and human rights.
Mr Mandela's body will lie in state in Pretoria on the following three days and he will be given a state funeral on Sunday, 15 December.Mr Mandela's body will lie in state in Pretoria on the following three days and he will be given a state funeral on Sunday, 15 December.
A smaller number of international dignitaries including the Prince of Wales will attend the burial in the Eastern Cape village of Qunu, where the late president grew up.A smaller number of international dignitaries including the Prince of Wales will attend the burial in the Eastern Cape village of Qunu, where the late president grew up.
While Tuesday's memorial service will clearly be a big organisational challenge, the state funeral will be a greater logistical one because of its rural remoteness, BBC correspondent Mike Woodridge reports.While Tuesday's memorial service will clearly be a big organisational challenge, the state funeral will be a greater logistical one because of its rural remoteness, BBC correspondent Mike Woodridge reports.
'Light in the darkness''Light in the darkness'
On Sunday South Africa held a "day of prayer" in Mr Mandela's memory.On Sunday South Africa held a "day of prayer" in Mr Mandela's memory.
At Soweto's Regina Mundi Catholic Church, a centre of the anti-apartheid struggle, the priest Sebastian Roussouw said the late leader had been "a light in the darkness".At Soweto's Regina Mundi Catholic Church, a centre of the anti-apartheid struggle, the priest Sebastian Roussouw said the late leader had been "a light in the darkness".
Mr Mandela's ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, was among the congregation at the Bryanston Methodist church in Johannesburg, where President Jacob Zuma urged South Africans not to forget the values he had stood for.Mr Mandela's ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, was among the congregation at the Bryanston Methodist church in Johannesburg, where President Jacob Zuma urged South Africans not to forget the values he had stood for.
Mourners have gathered every day outside Mr Mandela's house in the Johannesburg suburb of Houghton since Mr Mandela died at home at the age of 95, after several months of ill health.Mourners have gathered every day outside Mr Mandela's house in the Johannesburg suburb of Houghton since Mr Mandela died at home at the age of 95, after several months of ill health.
Well wishers have lit candles there and laid thousands of wreaths of flowers and at his old home in Soweto.Well wishers have lit candles there and laid thousands of wreaths of flowers and at his old home in Soweto.
The government has given further details of the state funeral arrangements for this week:The government has given further details of the state funeral arrangements for this week:
Flags at all official buildings are to remain at half mast throughout the period and books of condolence are being circulated across the country and online for people to post tributes, record memories and express their emotions.Flags at all official buildings are to remain at half mast throughout the period and books of condolence are being circulated across the country and online for people to post tributes, record memories and express their emotions.
A government statement recalled the former president's own thoughts when asked how he wished to be remembered.A government statement recalled the former president's own thoughts when asked how he wished to be remembered.
"It would be very egotistical of me to say how I would like to be remembered," Mr Mandela said."It would be very egotistical of me to say how I would like to be remembered," Mr Mandela said.
"I'd leave that entirely to South Africans. I would just like a simple stone on which is written, 'Mandela'.""I'd leave that entirely to South Africans. I would just like a simple stone on which is written, 'Mandela'."
The former South African leader spent 27 years in jail before becoming the country's first black president in 1994.The former South African leader spent 27 years in jail before becoming the country's first black president in 1994.
He served a single term before stepping down in 1999.He served a single term before stepping down in 1999.
Mr Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 along with FW de Klerk, South Africa's last white president.Mr Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 along with FW de Klerk, South Africa's last white president.
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