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.

South Africans were praised for the “dignified” way in which they have commemorated the death of Nelson Mandela as the memorial service for the anti-apartheid hero got under way.

South Africa has been celebrating Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday, a milestone capped by news that the former president's health was improving after fears that he was close to death during ongoing hospital treatment.

Nelson Mandela is in critical but stable condition, the South African government said, while a close friend said the anti-apartheid leader was conscious and responsive earlier this week.

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

Nelson Mandela is being kept alive by a breathing machine and faces “impending death”, South African court documents show.

Court documents obtained by AFP news agency show that doctors have advised that Nelson Mandela's life support be turned off.

The remains of Nelson Mandela’s three dead children have been reburied at their original resting site, a day after a court ordered their return two years after a Mandela grandson moved the bodies.

A South African archbishop who visited Nelson Mandela in hospital has offered a prayer in which he wishes for a “peaceful, perfect, end” for the former president and anti-apartheid leader.

South Africa’s president urged the country to pray for critically ill Nelson Mandela, describing him as the “father of democracy” who made extraordinary sacrifices on behalf of his people.

Nelson Mandela’s health has deteriorated and he is in critical condition, the South African government said.

The South African presidency said the condition of Nelson Mandela has become critical.

The wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela said today that love and generosity from across the world have brought comfort and hope during the 94-year-old’s latest spell in hospital.

A realisation that the inevitable may not be far away was growing among South Africans as they said prayers for their ailing former leader Nelson Mandela.

South Africans have said their thoughts are with former president Nelson Mandela, who remains in a “serious but stable” condition after being taken to hospital to be treated for a recurring lung infection.

Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has deemed goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank should be treated as illegal.

The wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela has attended a memorial service for a man who died in police custody after being dragged from a police vehicle in an incident that was filmed by onlookers.

Doctors treating former South African leader Nelson Mandela believe the 94-year-old should remain in Johannesburg for now to be close to medical facilities.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela was released from hospital today.

Nelson Mandela is looking “much better” and is in good spirits, South Africa’s president said after visiting the former leader at his hospital bedside on Christmas morning.

Former South African leader Nelson Mandela will probably spend Christmas Day in a hospital because his doctors want to be satisfied his health has improved satisfactorily before sending him home, a South African media outlet reported.

Former South African leader Nelson Mandela will probably spend Christmas Day in hospital, it has been reported.

South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu says he is praying for a prompt recovery for former leader Nelson Mandela, who has been in hospital for more than two weeks.

US first lady Michelle Obama and her family paid their respects to Nelson Mandela during a private visit at the home of the former South African president and revered statesman.

US First lady Michelle Obama has opened her week-long visit to Africa with a courtesy call on her South African counterpart.

Nelson Mandela called Albertina Sisulu "one of the greatest South Africans" as the nation mourned a woman celebrated for her role in the fight against apartheid.

Naomi Campbell’s former agent was accused today of telling a “complete pack of lies” about a gift to the supermodel of alleged “blood diamonds”.

Naomi Campbell's former agent was accused today of lying when she claimed the supermodel knowingly received "blood diamonds" from former Liberian president Charles Taylor.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell named Charles Taylor as the person who gave her a “huge diamond”, actress Mia Farrow told the former Liberian leader’s war crimes trial today.

NELSON Mandela turned 92 yesterday as US President Barack Obama and other world leaders hailed the anti-apartheid icon’s contribution to global politics and the fight for human rights.

South Africans today celebrated Nelson Mandela’s birthday by planting gardens, painting clinics and calling for unity.

A sombre and frail Nelson Mandela attended the funeral for his 13-year-old great-granddaughter today, after she was killed in a car crash following the World Cup's opening concert.

Mourners gathered today for the funeral of Nelson Mandela’s 13-year-old great-granddaughter who was killed in a car crash.

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.

Zimbabwe is on the brink of collapse, battered by economic chaos and weakened by disease, world leaders warned today.

Former US President Jimmy Carter said he and others have been refused entry to Zimbabwe for a humanitarian mission.

Former US President Jimmy Carter and others are pressing ahead with a humanitarian mission to Zimbabwe, though the state newspaper in the troubled southern African country has signalled they are unwelcome.

Nelson Mandela said the African National Congress was responsible for making him the person he is today and for unity in South Africa’s governing party.

Guests stood and cheered, a Xhosa choir sang “Here is our hope!” and a smiling Nelson Mandela welcomed hundreds of well-wishers in a festive tent outside his home on Saturday as South Africa formally celebrated the anti-apartheid icon’s 90th birthday.

Nelson Mandela celebrated his 90th birthday today surrounded by grandchildren and relatives in the South African village he calls home.

Kenya’s embattled opposition said today that it would turn to economic boycotts and strikes to keep up pressure on President Mwai Kibaki, whom it accuses of rigging the country’s recent election.

Kenyan police have killed and wounded dozens of protesters, an international human rights group said today, warning that the opposition call for mass rallies this week raises concerns of new clashes that could lead to more deaths and injuries.

A group launched by former South African president Nelson Mandela to foster peace and resolve global conflicts will undertake its first mission to Sudan to highlight the crisis in Darfur, the organisation said today.

Nelson Mandela has celebrated his 89th birthday today with a star-studded football match and the launch of a humanitarian campaign, joined by former US President Jimmy Carter, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other elders of the global village.