South Africa observes 10 days of mourning for Nelson Mandela

Hundreds of events broadcast live on television will commemorate the legacy of South Africa’s first black president, who died aged 95 last week. As tributes poured in from the nation and world leaders, the date for his state funeral was set for Dec. 15. Mandela, one of the world’s most revered politicians, led South Africa’s transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s after 27 years in prison for fighting apartheid.

Scores of world leaders and international celebrities will attend his funeral in the Thembu tribal tradition in at his home village of Qunu in Eastern Cape. Facing a monumental security challenge, the South African military will lock the village down with a tight security cordon. The service will be broadcast across the world.