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

Unionists are fearful of change in Northern Ireland in much the same way as white South Africans were concerned about their future following the fall of apartheid, the country’s President, Thabo Mbeki, said today.

President Thabo Mbeki was sworn in for a second term today as South Africa celebrated its first decade of multi-racial rule with a military air display and a massive open-air concert in Pretoria.