Mandela: view the live broadcast here

It seems as if the Gauteng weather is a symbol for the mourning of the late former South African president Nelson Mandela as South Africans and people from around the world attend the memorial service for Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto today 10 December.

The stadium has been filling up since this 7am this morning when the gates opened and because of the rain the organisers of the event have allowed umbrellas to be taken inside.

The programme for today’s memorial service, which can be viewed live on SABC 2, will be as follow:

• ANC Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Baleke Mbete, a South African politician and South Africa’s deputy president from 2008 to 2009 will be the first speakers.

From about 11am until 3pm the following events and speakers commemorating the leader who fought against apartheid will take place:

• The National Anthem will be performed by a mass choir

• Welcome and Opening Remarks: Programme Directors

• Interfaith prayers

• Tribute by family friend, Andrew Mlangeni

• Tribute by family: General Thanduxolo Mandela

• Tribute by the grandchildren: Mbuso Mandela, Andile Mandela, Zozuko Dlamini and Phumla Mandela

• Tribute by UN Representative: Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon

• Tribute by AU Commission Chair: Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma

• Tribute by Foreign Dignitaries: President Barack Obama (USA), President Dilma Rousseff (Brazil), Vice-President Li Yuanchao (China), President Hifikepunye Pohamba (Namibia), President Pranab Mukherjee (India), President Raúl Castro Ruz (Cuba)

• Keynote Address by the President of South Africa: Jacob Zuma

• Sermon: Bishop Ivan Abrahams

• Vote of thanks: Premier of Gauteng, Nomvula Mokonyane

Krugersdorpers who wish to follow the live SABC broadcast can view it here: