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.

South Africa’s president said he was pleased Nelson Mandela had gone home from a hospital, saying it indicated the progress that the anti-apartheid leader had made even though he remains in critical condition.

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.

Nelson Mandela’s annual Christmas party was brought to an abrupt end when parents and children began pushing and shoving as gifts were being handed out.