Tens of thousands of South Africans have given Nelson Mandela a joyful send-off. They were joined by close to 100 world leaders along with celebrities at a memorial ceremony in Soweto.
The service brought together an unprecedented number of dignitaries, who were commemorating the anti-apartheid icon alongside tens of thousands of South Africans who have queued since before dawn to secure a seat.
Ireland was represented by President Michael D. Higgins. He told the Right Hook here on Newstalk that it was a moving experience.
The US President Barack Obama paid tribute to Mr. Mandela as "the last great liberator of the 20th century" at a memorial service in Johannesburg.
He told a jubilant and emotional crowd "To the people of South Africa - people of every race and walk of life - the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us. His struggle was your struggle. His triumph was your triumph. Your dignity and hope found expression in his life, and your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy."
Mr. Obama told how he had been inspired by Mr. Mandela's story and the struggle against apartheid as a student.
He said "It stirred something in me. It woke me up to my responsibilities - to others, and to myself - and set me on an improbable journey that finds me here today. And while I will always fall short of Madiba's example, he makes me want to be better. He speaks to what is best inside us."
Taoiseach Enda Kenny signs the book of condolence for Nelson Mandela at the South African Ambassador's residence in Dublin
The memorial was delayed as thousands of people who had travelled to the event on free buses in bad weather streamed into the arena after the planned 9am start time.
But rain falling on Soweto failed to dampen the spirits of those singing and dancing inside and outside the stadium, with one woman saying the downpour was a "shower of blessing" for Mr. Mandela.
The event got under way with a rousing rendition of South Africa's national anthem before programme director Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC's deputy president, declared "Long live the spirit of Nelson Mandela."
He added "We are here to tell Madiba that his long walk is over, he can finally rest and enjoy the view of our beautiful country".
Crowds at the FNB Stadium
After interfaith prayers, ANC veteran Andrew Mlangeni, who was imprisoned with Mr. Mandela, told the crowd "I have the honour to say something about Madiba and how he touched my heart, my soul, my life, those of South Africans and how he will continue to touch lives. Madiba is looking down on us now and there is no doubt he is smiling".
General Thanduxolo Mandela, speaking for the Mandela family, said their grief was being "lessened" by the outpouring of sympathy in South Africa around the world.
He said "In his lifetime, Madiba mingled with kings, queens and presidents, prime ministers, captains of industry and ordinary workers. At the core of his being was a man of the people, a simple man and one who knew that no matter how great the accolades he attained in life, what he was in life - a son of Africa".
Three of Mr. Mandela's grandchildren took the stage together to deliver their own tribute, telling the crowd, "a great tree has fallen... shall we walk in his footsteps?"
Former US President Bill Clinton
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were welcomed by cheers when the crowd realised they had taken their seats moments after the grandchildren's speech.
Three former US Presidents - George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter - are also attending the event.
The memorial has united leaders who would never normally share a stage and some observers were surprised to see Mr. Obama shake the hand of Cuba's President Raul Castro.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said Mr. Mandela had a smile that "lit up the world," adding "It is our duty to keep his memory alive and embody his example in our lives."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma was repeatedly booed when his face appeared on a big screen and again when he made his keynote speech - by which time many people had already left the stadium.
He said "We do not call Madiba the father of our rainbow nation for reasons of political correctness. We do so because he laid a firm foundation for the South Africa of our dreams."
South African President Jacob Zuma remarked on how Mandela had brought the world to a standstill, and not for the first time.
Western leaders are brushing shoulders with the Iranian President, African heads of state and other leaders and royalty from around the world.
U2 singer Bono and Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron were among the first celebrities to arrive at the stadium.
Francois Pienaar, captain of South Africa's 1995 Rugby World Cup winning team, wore his Springbok blazer to the memorial.
Former President Mary Robinson with Archbishop Desmond Tutu
He said "The ANC wanted the Springbok taken away for very good reasons but Mr Mandela had a vision. He said 'no, these are our boys, they're playing for us, let's embrace them,' and if it wasn't for that there is no doubt in my mind we would not have been able to wear our Springbok blazers to come and say goodbye and to say thank you to such a wonderful man".
Graca Machel, the wife who nursed Mr. Mandela through his later years, and his second wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela embraced as they took their seats at the memorial.
Mr. Mandela's widow, Graça Machel
The event - perhaps the biggest in South Africa's history - was broadcast live on television around the globe. It was a huge security operation for South Africa's military, which has been drafted in to protect the world's most powerful men and women and control the crowds.
South Africans who are not able to gain entry to the stadium are able to watch at several public venues around the country where big screens have been erected.
Over a hundred countries were represented at the service.
Among them, Chinese Vice-President Li Yuanchao and Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, who spoke through a translator.
