In what has been billed as one of the largest gatherings of global leaders in recent history, world leaders from President Barack Obama to Cuba's Raul Castro gathered alongside street sweepers, actors and religious figures to pay tribute to the revered statesman who died last Thursday.
Despite the heavy rain, the atmosphere inside Johannesburg 's FNB stadium was celebratory, with people dancing, blowing "vuvuzela" plastic horns and singing songs from the anti-apartheid struggle.
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Many carried banners honoring "Madiba," Mandela's traditional clan name, or his picture. Others were draped in materials covered with his face or the green, yellow, black, red and blue colors of the South African flag.
Some had skipped work and queued for hours to secure a seat so that they could pay their respects at the stadium where Mandela delivered his first major speech after his release from prison. .
The four-hour service began with a military band playing the national anthem before South Africa's presidents -- past and present -- were introduced. There was a loud cheer from the crowd for F.W. de Klerk, the last leader of white South Africa, who shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela for helping to end apartheid.
The joyous cries died down as speeches from Mandela's family members as well as a fellow Robben Island prison inmate began. Anguished faces listened quietly as a sorrowful chant to "Tata Madiba" filled the air. "Tata" means "father" in Mandela's Xhosa tribe.
READ: The official program
The stadium, which can seat around 90,000 people, filled up as guests such as British Prime Minister David Cameron, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, a speaker at the event, and Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf arrived. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu and South African President Jacob Zuma were among the first to arrive at the stadium.
The world has lost a friend and mentor, Ban said at the service. "We join together in sorrow for a mighty loss and the celebration of a mighty life. What a wonderful display of this 'Rainbow Nation.' "
Members of The Elders, a group of retired statesmen founded by Mandela and others were also in attendance, including former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
The crowds cheered loudly and clapped as a huge screen showed famous faces, namely for the arrival of Obama.
The world of entertainment also was well represented, with South African actress Charlize Theron and U2's Bono in attendance.
Mandela's widow, Graca Machel, and his former wife Winnie Mandela embraced and kissed as they arrived.
Paying tribute to his uncle, General Thanduxolo Mandela gave thanks to the outpouring of respect from around the world.
"This universal show of unity is a true reflection of all that Madiba stood for -- peace, justice, unity of all mankind," he said.
"Let us pledge to keep Madiba's dream alive."
With 91 heads of state attending, security was tight.
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