Nelson Mandela's funeral will be held at his ancestral home in Qunu a week on Sunday, it has been announced.
The news came as grieving for the iconic anti-apartheid leader turned to a celebration of his life, and tributes continued to pour in.
South Africa's first black president died last night at his Johannesburg home following a long illness.
The 95-year-old had established a unique global status after spending nearly three decades as a political prisoner before leading his country through an unexpectedly peaceful transition to democracy.
Current South African President Jacob Zuma confirmed Mr Mandela's body will lie in state for three days before a funeral is held on Sunday December 15 in Qunu, the village in Eastern Cape where he was born.
Meanwhile, thousands of South Africans gathered outside Mr Mandela's home in Johannesburg's Houghton neighbourhood, where they sang traditional songs and danced in memory of the man affectionately known as Madiba.