Nelson Mandela has been buried in the African ground he loved after a funeral ceremony that included a 21-gun salute and fly-overs by military aircraft as well as a eulogy by a traditional leader wearing an animal skin.

South African military jets and helicopters have flown over after pallbearers placed Nelson Mandela’s casket over the grave following his funeral ceremony.

Big guns have fired a salute in the rural village where Nelson Mandela grew up and military servicemen marched stiffly behind his casket on a winding dirt road as South Africa said goodbye for the last time to the man who reconciled the country in its most vulnerable period.

Retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu will join scores of dignitaries from around the world tomorrow for the funeral of Nelson Mandela.

Desmond Tutu will not be attending Nelson Mandela’s funeral because he did not receive credentials to do so, a spokesman for the retired archbishop has said.

The remains of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela have been transferred to Waterkloof air base for a farewell from the African National Congress (ANC).

Tens of thousands of mourners, some breaking through police barriers, flocked to South Africa’s central government buildings yesterday to say a personal goodbye Nelson Mandela on the final day of his lying in state.

President Michael D Higgins has told world leaders the best way to honour Nelson Mandela is to use his values to deal with modern day challenges.

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

The man giving a sign language interpretation to the world at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service was a fake whose gestures meant nothing, it has been revealed.

President Michael D Higgins has been asked to speak on behalf of European leaders at a special lunch marking the first day of Nelson Mandela lying in state.

Nelson Mandela’s coffin, draped in the multi-coloured South African flag, has arrived at the seat of power in the country’s capital for public viewing.

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.

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.

More than 90 world leaders are in South Africa for commemoration ceremonies in honour of Nelson Mandela, the man who went from prisoner to president armed with nothing more than his conscience, his courage, and a steely resolve to achieve freedom for his people.

With hymns and eulogies, South Africans of all colours and creeds remembered Nelson Mandela in a day of prayers yesterday, holding him up as a symbol of freedom, forgiveness, and hope for the nation and the world.

Some 60 heads of state or government will take part in the memorial service or state funeral of Nelson Mandela next week.

South Africans called it the “Madiba magic” after his clan name — Nelson Mandela’s quirky mix of grandeur and simplicity, his ready quips, his ability to relate to the poor, his colourful custom-made shirts and his dancing prowess.

South Africans united in mourning for Nelson Mandela yesterday, but while some celebrated his remarkable life with dance and song, others fretted that the anti-apartheid hero’s death would make the nation vulnerable again to racial and social tensions.

Although South Africa had months, if not years, to prepare a farewell for Nelson Mandela, the 10 days of mourning before his funeral speak of a heartfelt need to hold on to him and all that he represents.

President Michael D Higgins will represent Ireland at the State memorial service for Nelson Mandela.

Preparations are well underway for the state funeral of Nelson Mandela which will take place on Saturday week.

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.

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.

Doctors treating Nelson Mandela said he was in a “permanent vegetative state” and advised his family to turn off his life support machine, according to court documents.

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.

Workers armed with pick- axes and a court order broke into the compound of Nelson Mandela’s grandson to exhume the remains of three of the anti-apartheid hero’s children, a new twist in a row that has split South Africa’s most famous family.

Nelson Mandela’s grandson has said he will contest a court order for him to move the remains of three family members to their original grave site.

Members of Nelson Mandela’s family and tribal elders gathered today at the former president’s rural hometown in eastern South Africa, as concern grew for the 94-year-old leader who spent a third day in critical condition in a hospita.

South Africa’s president has urged his compatriots to show their appreciation for Nelson Mandela, who is in critical condition in a hospital, by marking his 95th birthday next month with acts of goodness that honour the legacy of the anti-apartheid leader.

Nelson Mandela's close family have gathered for an emergency meeting in his home village to discuss his ill health.

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 Africa president Nelson Mandela is "doing very, very well" while undergoing unspecified medical tests at a military hospital, the nation's defence minister has said.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela spent a second day in a Pretoria military hospital yesterday for medical tests and the government said the anti-apartheid leader’s condition was comfortable.

South Africans prayed today for the health of former president Nelson Mandela and anxiously awaited further word about the anti-apartheid leader after he was admitted to a military hospital.

Nelson Mandela is celebrating his 94th birthday. He is not expected to make a public appearance.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela is set to leave Johannesburg for his eastern home village of Qunu.

MILLIONS of South African school children sang to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday, leading a worldwide chorus of wishes sent to the anti-apartheid icon.

Millions of South African schoolchildren sang to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday today, leading a worldwide chorus of wishes sent to the anti-apartheid icon.

Millions of children around South Africa have sung Happy Birthday to former president Nelson Mandela to celebrate his 93rd birthday.

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.