US President Barack Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro at a memorial service for Nelson Mandela, a simple gesture that signalled possible thawing between the leaders of two Cold War foes.

Obama exhorted the world to embrace Nelson Mandela's universal message of peace and justice, electrifying tens of thousands of rain-lashed spectators and prompting a standing ovation.

Spectators at the memorial service for Nelson Mandela jeered at South Africa's leader Jacob Zuma, embarrassing him and reflecting the ANC's current challenges.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela is remembered at a memorial ceremony at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium.

Three members of New Zealand’s delegation will not be able to attend Nelson Mandela’s funeral after the South African government imposed a strict two-person limit.

All Blacks great Sean Fitzpatrick has paid tribute to Nelson Mandela, saying meeting him and playing in South Africa was a dream come true.

PM John Key says a 'good blend' of people will represent NZ at Nelson Mandela's funeral - despite criticism anti-apartheid campaigner John Minto's not one of them.

He was with Nelson Mandela during all those years the anti-apartheid icon was imprisoned on Robben Island. And, like millions around the world, he has been hit hard by Mandela's death.

S Africa will say goodbye to Nelson Mandela over 10 days of mourning culminating in a state funeral likely to be attended by world leaders including David Cameron, Barack Obama and Pope Francis.

Newspapers and websites around the world have marked the death of one of the great political figures of the twentieth century.

Once a shadowy figure whose imprisonment personified the shackles of his apartheid-bound people, a free Mandela brought political calm to a S Africa that had become far more savage since he was jailed.

As the news of Mandela's death spread, residents of Soweto gathered in the streets near the house where he once lived, singing and dancing to mourn his death and celebrate his life.

In his inspiring inauguration speech on 10 May 1994, Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected President of S Africa, speaks of liberty, justice, human dignity, hope — and forgiveness.

Hundreds of people rushed to Nelson Mandela's home, singing and shouting 'Viva Mandela' after hearing of his death.

The world knows Nelson Mandela as a man who forever changed the course of modern history and who will surely continue to leave his mark long after his death at the age of 95.

As the world mourns the loss of Nelson Mandela, nzherald.co.nz remembers the life of the anti-apartheid campaigner and the first black President of South Africa. He was imprisoned for 27 years, controversial for much of his life, he received international acclaim for his anti-colonial and anti-apartheid stance. He was held in deep respect within South Africa, and has been described as "the father of the nation".

The life and times of Nelson Mandela.

Full text of President Jacob Zuma's address to the nation on the death of former President Nelson Mandela.

After years of delay, protests and legal action, a tolling system finally came into force on a large part of the freeway network of South Africa's richest province, Gauteng.

Gun in hand, Kiwi millionaire Mark Gunton stands proudly over the corpse of a fallen African elephant.

PK Stowers scales the heights of one of the seven wonders of the natural world.

'I just saw the whole slab that just came down and all you could hear was the guys screaming.' A witness describes a half-built mall collapse where 50 are trapped.

One of South Africa's most recognisable landmarks, Table Mountain has also been named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

An American TV presenter is facing an outraged public backlash after she posted a picture of herself posing next to a dead lion she had apparently shot and killed.

British security company G4S is under fire in S Africa over allegations that its staff tortured inmates at the country's biggest private prison through electrocutions and forced injections.

This special wilderness sanctuary at the foot of the Warmwaterberg Mountain Range offers five-star accommodation as well as the opportunity to see endangered black and white rhinoceros species.

For further information see: sanbona.com

Paul Rush laments the possible extinction of South Africa's black and white rhino species.