Nelson Mandela’s flag-draped coffin has been laid in state in the South African capital.

Tens of thousands of spectators have braved foul weather to join heads of state from around the world in celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

The party linked to decades of white racist rule in South Africa formally departed the political stage today, with its leader apologising for ”a system grounded in injustice.”

ISRAELI and Palestinian activists yesterday launched an unofficial peace treaty aimed at ending one of the world’s most intractable conflicts, backed by a gathering of Nobel peace prize winners including former President Jimmy Carter.

Former first lady Marike de Klerk was buried in a private ceremony today, five days after she was strangled to death in her Cape Town apartment.