Joyous, singing South Africans gathered in the rain today to honour Nelson Mandela at a massive memorial service that is expected to draw some 100 heads of state and other luminaries, united in tribute to a global symbol of reconciliation.

NELSON MANDELA will be remembered as the person who, more than any other, brought an end to apartheid, the heartless policy of “separate development” in which white, black, and South Asian South Africans were obliged to live apart.

Had Northern Ireland’s attorney general John Larkin proposed ending Troubles-related prosecutions some weeks after the publication of Justice Peter Smithwick’s shocking report, his suggestion might not have provoked such a visceral, hostile but dispiritingly predictable response.

South Africans have gathered to mourn the death of Nelson Mandela – and celebrate his colossal life.

Retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu has warned the Mandela family to end a bitter feud over his burial site.

Nelson Mandela remains in a serious but stable condition in a Pretoria hospital with a recurring lung infection.

NELSON MANDELA’s ex-wife denied yesterday that she had sharply criticised the anti-apartheid icon in a British newspaper interview, saying the comments attributed to her had been fabricated.

As the protests continue, however, Mousavi might be propelled into a position he never sought: the Mikhail Gorbachev or FW de Klerk of Iran, a member of the ruling establishment who surprises even himself by deviating from the line to the point where the system falls apart

The fifth Beatle, George Martin, will be recognised by an Irish university for his lifetime contribution to the world of music as a producer and arranger, it was revealed today.

IS Nelson Mandela the only hero left as he prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday tomorrow? It is difficult to conclude otherwise, despite recent criticism of his muteness about Robert Mugabe.

One of Hollywood’s top comic actors, Will Ferrell, will be honoured by an Irish university tonight.

Former South African President FW De Klerk today insisted he knew nothing about any atrocities or assassinations committed during his leadership.

South Africa today said goodbye to former president PW Botha, a man who in life was associated with some of the worst excesses of apartheid, but whose death has shown the strides a bitterly divided country has made toward reconciliation.

PW Botha, the apartheid-era president who led South Africa through its worst racial violence and deepest international isolation, died peacefully in his sleep. He was 90.

SOUTH Africa’s last hardline white president, PW Botha, has died. He was 90.

South Africa’s last hardline white president, PW Botha, has died. He was 90.

NOBEL peace laureate Desmond Tutu, the conscience of South Africa, turns 75 today — his acerbic tongue and irrepressible humour as sharp as during his anti-apartheid crusades.

Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu turns 75 tomorrow – his acerbic tongue and irrepressible humour as sharp as during his anti-apartheid crusades.

South Africa’s last white president, FW De Klerk, was discharged from hospital today after recovering from complications following surgery for colon cancer.

The state agency responsible for names of towns and cities approved plans today to rename the capital Pretoria as Tshwane, dismissing criticism by mainly white South Africans that it would undermine their cultural traditions.

Former White House hopeful Senator John McCain is to address Trinity College students just days after his country has decided if it wants George W Bush or Senator John Kerry to be President.

The British government has been accused of double standards today for investigating the possibility of a truth commission while at the same time covering up security force collusion with loyalists.

South Africa today won the contest to stage the 2010 World Cup.

Former president FW De Klerk, who negotiated the end of the oppressive white-minority regime his party created, has warned that South African democracy is being undercut by the same racial divides as a decade ago.

A security guard accused of killing former South African first lady Marike de Klerk today pleaded not guilty to murder, rape and robbery charges.

A security guard arrested yesterday has allegedly confessed to murdering Marike de Klerk, the ex-wife of former South African President FW de Klerk.

South African police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of Marike de Klerk, the 64-year-old ex-wife of former president FW de Klerk.

The wife of former South Africa president F W De Klerk has been murdered.