PHOTOS: Mandela's memorial service

US President Barack Obama summed up the awed respect Nelson Mandela inspired around the world at his rain-drenched memorial in Soweto. 

 

"It is hard to eulogise any man... How much harder to do so for a giant of history, who moved a nation toward justice, and in the process moved billions around the world," Obama began, in a speech that placed Mandela in the pantheon of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.

 

As thousands of South Africans listened and applauded in the FNB Stadium, in Soweto, and in front of screens around the country, Obama thanked them "for sharing Mandela with us".

 

"He turned his trial into an indictment of apartheid," he said, adding: "His struggle was your struggle. His triumph was your triumph. Your dignity and your hope found expression in his life and your freedom and democracy is his cherished legacy."

 

The eulogy drew a standing ovation from close on 100 black-clad world leaders, who flew to Johannesburg at short notice, and ordinary South Africans, who waited at the stadium's gates from dawn for a chance to pay farewell to Mandela.

 

 

(Above: Obama addresses the service) 

 

Watch a section of his speech below: 

 

 

 

 

 

(Above: Scenes from the stadium) 

 

US, British and French heads of government past and present attended, along with European royals, African leaders including Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and a strong celebrity contingent led by local born actress Charlize Theron.

 

 

(Above: Charlize Theron with U2's Bono) 

 

 

(Above: Desmond Tutu and Hillary Clinton)

 

 

 

(Above: Emotions run high in the stands. Photo: Sapa)

 

 

(Above: Desmond Tutu closed the proceedings) 

 

 

(Above: A mourner listens intently) 

 

Obama shared the podium with Cuban leader Raul Castro, with whom he shook hands despite decades of hostility between their countries, on a day that brought more political drama as the crowd repeatedly booed President Jacob Zuma.

 

Before the ceremony started an hour late at noon, mourners broke into cheers when former president Thabo Mbeki, who in effect served as Mandela's prime minister during his single-term in office, entered the stadium.

 

There were cheers too for apartheid's last president FW de Klerk, who freed Mandela and unbanned the ANC.

 

But Zuma was loudly jeered when he arrived, and again later when his face flashed onto giant screens in the stadium.

 

 

(Above: One of Mandela's grandsons, Mandla, at the memorial)  

 

 

(Above: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela) 

 

 

(Above: Mandela's widow, Graca Machel)

 

 

(Above: Obama greets Graca Machel)

 

 

(Above: Rain pours down on mourners)

 

African National Congress deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, who served as master of ceremonies, called the crowd to order, and it appeared that Zuma's speech had been shortened to avoid further embarrassment.

 

"Everyone has had a Mandela moment when this world icon has touched their lives... There was no one like Madiba, he was one of a kind," Zuma said.

 

"Today, the whole world stands still to pay tribute to Africa's greatest son. Rest in peace our father and our hero."

 

 

(Above: Zuma addresses the service) 

 

 

(Above: Cyril Ramaphosa and Baleka Mbete, who led the proceedings) 

 

 

(Above: The programme of events at the memorial) 

 

The event ended with a sharp reprimand from Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who told those in the stands: "You must show the world that we are disciplined... We promise God that we are going to follow the example of Nelson Mandela."

 

 

(Above: Outside the FNB Stadium, aka Soccer City) 

 

 

(Above: Lebani Sirenge, from Zimbabwe, at the stadium) 

 

(Photos: Gallo Images, unless otherwise credited)