An unprecedented gathering of world leaders has come together in Johannesburg to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela at a memorial service for the former president of South Africa, five days after he died at the age of 95.
The ceremony at the FNB Stadium, the country's largest arena, started an hour late in the pouring rain after dignitaries and members of the public were filing in to the premises for hours.
Cyril Ramaphosa, the deputy president of the ruling ANC party who opened the proceedings, said: 'In our tradition, when it rains when you are buried, your gods are welcoming you to heaven.'
Barack Obama arrived almost an hour after the ceremony started, but was greeted with rapturous applause by the crowd - in stark contrast to South African president Jacob Zuma, was loudly booed whenever he appeared on the stadium's big screen.
He was given a prominent role in the memorial service for the former South African president - and made history by shaking hands with Raul Castro of Cuba, a sworn enemy of America, when he walked up to the podium to deliver an address.
Scroll down for a live stream of the ceremony
Sombre occasion: Members of Nelson Mandela's family take their seats amid heavy rain ahead of his memorial service at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg
Fitting setting: A general view of the arena which was the location of Mr Mandela's first speech in Johannesburg after he was released from prison in 1990
Popular: America's first black president received a huge ovation as he made his way to the platform to deliver a eulogy to the anti-apartheid hero
Prominent role: U.S. President Barack Obama, who will deliver a eulogy at the service, is joined by First Lady Michelle (right)
Cheers: When America's first couple flashed up on screen the crowd roared their approval of the U.S.'s first black President
Tough conditions: Mr Obama was delayed because his motorcade struggled through the rain-soaked route to the World Cup stadium
Relatives: Mr Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Mandela Madikizela (left) and his widow Graca Machel (far right) take their seats in the stadium
Emotional: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (left) and Graca Machel (right) fight back tears as moving tributes to Mr Mandela are read out
Mourning: Mr Mandela's former wife Winnie Mandela Madikizela (centre), who famously greeted her husband as he left prison, arrives at the ceremony
Family affair: (front row) Mr Mandela's daughters Zindzi, Zenani and Makaziwe Mandela, ex-wife Winnie Mandela Madikizela and widow Graca Machel before the service
Respect: Nelson Mandela is shown on a giant screen inside the stadium as thousands of South Africans and global dignitaries file into the ground
A man waves a South African flag: South Africans have been praised for the 'dignified' way in which they have commemorated Mr Mandela's death
Umbrella weather: The ceremony started an hour late in the pouring rain to allow dignitaries and members of the public to file in to the arena
Among the other international dignitaries to attend the event are several current and former British leaders, including David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major.
The memorial will feature tributes by some of the anti-Apartheid icon's family and a speech from United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
The event at the 95,000-capacity FNB Stadium in Soweto began with a rendition of South Africa's national anthem - the only music in the order of service.
Mr Ramaphosa told the crowd during his opening address: 'We wish to applaud the people of South Africa for the dignified manner in which they have honoured and remembered the memory of Nelson Mandela since he passed away. We applaud you and thank you for it.'
After interfaith prayers, the service then heard from Andrew Mlangeni, a former prisoner on Robben Island with Mr Mandela, who spoke of the 'outpouring of love' following his death.
'Madiba is looking down on us. There is no doubt he is smiling and he watches his beloved country, men and women, unite to celebrate his life and legacy,' he said.
Who's who of world leaders: VIPs and dignitaries watch from the tribune as rain lashes down during the memorial service
Paying tribute: World leaders converged on the FNB Stadium in Soweto, the Johannesburg township that was a stronghold of support for the anti-apartheid struggle that Mandela embodied
Successor: Jacob Zuma, the current president of South Africa, is giving the keynote speech during the ceremony
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