UPDATED GALLERY: Mandela memorial

by | Dec 12, 2013

Nokuthula Manyathi and Emelia Motsai were backstage at the Nelson Mandela memorial service yesterday. These are some of their images. 

  • Members of the public received free transport to Soccer City where the memorial took place Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • The trains and buses were packed with Madiba lovers who sang praise hymns as they traveled. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • Soccer City which played host to Nelson Mandela's memorial service. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • An attendee pays his respects. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • The Evergreen Drum Majorettes from Lenasia South entertained the crowd outside Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • Mourners paid their respects in diverse ways. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • CNN anchors Anderson Cooper, South Africa's Robyn Curnow and Christiane Amanpour in the media centre. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • Swedish Crown Princess Victoria. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • Parliamentary Leader for the opposition Democratic Alliance, Lindiwe Mazibuko. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • British Prime Minster David Cameron is ushered by security through the swarm of reporters. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • David Cameron speaks to the media. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • Nelson Mandela's great-grandson Ndaba Mandela makes his way out of the memorial service. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • Infamous supermodel Naomi Campbell who considered herself close to Madiba left the service with her mother. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • Public Protector Thuli Madonsela shares a joke with her companion. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • Former National Commissioner of the South African Police Service Chief Bheki Cele was also in attendance Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi

  • The rain did not stop thousands of South Africans from going to the FNB stadium to pay their last respects to Nelson Mandela. Photo: Emelia Motsai.

  • World leaders including former US president Bill Clinton gathered to honour Nelson Mandela. Photo: Emelia Motsai.

  • Nelson Mandela's sacrifices empowered many. Photo: Emelia Motsai.

  • People mourned and honoured Madiba in different ways. Photo: Emelia Motsai.

  • Over 100 nations were represented at Nelson Mandela's memorial service at the FNB stadium. Photo: Emelia Motsai.

  • The Saint: Even though Mandela, when alive said he was no saint a religious group from Nigeria insisted he was and should be referred to as such. Photo: Emelia Motsai.

  • People of different ages and races all sang and danced for Nelson Mandela. Photo: Emelia Motsai.

  • Ordinary South Africans made their way to the Mandela's memorial even though it was raining. Photo: Emelia Motsai.

  • Many people were wearing red berets but not EFF berets in particular. Photo: Emelia Motsai.

  • Lead like Madiba: DA's Mmusi Maimane said the best way he could honour Nelson Mandela was to lead like him. Photo: Emelia Motsai.