MAELFU WAJIPANGA BARABARANI KWAAJILI YA KUUPOKEA MWILI WA HAYATI NELSON MANDELA LEO ASUBUHI

Tribute: Military officers carry the casket of former president Nelson Mandela into the Union Buildings in the South African capital Pretoria, the seat of government where he will lie in state for three days

Thousands of mourners lined the streets of South Africa this morning as Nelson Mandela's body was moved to lie in state in the capital - inside the building which once housed the apartheid government he fought for five decades.

South Africans formed a guard of honour for their former president this morning as his body was transported through Pretoria in a casket draped in the national flag, in a hearse surrounded by outriders, to lie in state for the first of three days.

This morning Mandela's grandson Mandla visited his open casket in the government's Union Buildings, followed by his second wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and third wife Graca Machel, as well as South Africa's current president Jacob Zuma.

Emotional: Thousands of South Africans waved and paid their respects to their first black president

Tribute: Military officers carry the casket of former president Nelson Mandela into the Union Buildings in the South African capital Pretoria, the seat of government where he will lie in state for three days

Soldiers salute Mr Mandela's coffin as it leaves the 1 Military Hospital on the outskirts of Pretoria this morning

Icon: Despite the early start, citizens thronged the streets of downtown Pretoria to glimpse the hearse

Cortege: The body of Nelson Mandela is driven through the streets of the capital Pretoria this morning

Military: Soldiers stand to attention as they wait for the procession to pass them on the streets of Pretoria

Meanwhile a public memorial service in London today will remember the life of the anti-apartheid leader. The service will be held at St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square from 10.30am at the request of the South African High Commission, feet away from the church.

The two share strong links and were the scene of freedom vigils for Mr Mandela during his incarceration.  Speaking at the service will be Sir Sydney Kentridge QC and Lord Joffe of Lidington, who both represented Mr Mandela at his treason trials, and campaigner and African National Congress veteran Mama Thembi Nobhadula.

Thousands of people are expected to pay their respects to their former leader over the next few days.

Tribute: South Africans lined the streets as Mr Mandela's remains were driven past at about 7am

Onlookers waited for hours. One told Sky News: 'We loved that man. He fought for us to be here'

Cheers: A group of women show their support for Mandela from behind a security barrier as the cortege passes

Waving goodbye: South Africa is currently engaged in a week of mourning for its former president

Good humour: Many South Africans have taken the opportunity to celebrate Mandela's life as much as mourning his death

South Africans were praised for the 'dignified' way in which they commemorated the death of Nelson Mandela

Those attending included Prime Minister David Cameron and his three surviving predecessors, Sir John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Also seen arriving at the service were supermodel Naomi Campbell, rock star Bono, former South African president FW De Klerk, Mr Clinton and his wife, ex-US secretary of state Hillary, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy and the current president Francois Hollande. 

Mr Mandela, described at one time as the world's most famous political prisoner, was released after 27 years in jail in 1990 and went on to become South Africa's first black president. He died last Thursday aged 95.

The service, marked by heavy rain, 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.

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon told the service: 'South Africa has lost a hero, we have lost a father and the world has lost a beloved friend and mentor.

'Nelson Mandela was more than one of the greatest leaders of our time, he was one of our greatest teachers. He taught by example, he sacrificed so much and was willing to give up everything for freedom, equality and justice.'