07/12/2013 10:30
Nelson Mandela death: Crowds gather to pay tribute
South Africans continue to gather in Johannesburg and Soweto to pay tribute to their former leader, Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday aged 95, the BBC reported.
Crowds have been remembering his legacy, dancing and singing in front of Mr Mandela's former home in Soweto.
He is to be accorded a state funeral on Sunday 15 December, President Jacob Zuma announced.
Mr Mandela spent 27 years in jail before becoming South Africa's first black president in 1994.
His administration replaced the racist white-minority regime that had enforced segregation of black and white people in a policy known as apartheid.
Mr Mandela went on to become one of the world's most respected statesmen.
South Africans across the country have been saying prayers, singing anti-apartheid songs and lighting candles.
Hundreds are gathered outside Mr Mandela's home in Johannesburg's northern suburb of Houghton, where he died.
They have been sharing memories of the former leader, recounting how they drew inspiration from his life.
A stage has been erected near the house, from where priests have led the crowd in prayers.
One of his grandsons, Mbuso Mandela, laid wreaths in his grandfather's memory.
President Zuma visited the house in the early afternoon to pay his respects.