Tens of thousands of South Africans control together dozens of earth leaders in support of the state-run commemorative plaque service in support of previous President Nelson Mandela.
The service was held in front of a vocal crowd in the FNB stadium in Johannesburg.
US President Barack Obama held Mr Mandela was a "giant of history", describing him as the stay fresh terrific liberator of the 20th Century.
The previous South African president died stay fresh Thursday, aged 95.
The nation is observing a chain of commemorations leading up to the funeral on Sunday.
'A mighty life'
The commemorative plaque service, which began next to approaching 12:00 (10:00 GMT), lasted approaching four hours.
It was solitary of the biggest gatherings of international dignitaries in up to date years, with more than 100 current or previous heads of state or government attending.
There had been fears group would be crooked away. But with hooligan shower, security and transfer issues, and the information with the purpose of Tuesday was not declared a state-run festival, areas of the 95,000-capacity stadium remained drain.
Introducing the proceedings, the master of ceremonies, Cyril Ramaphosa, held with the purpose of Mr Mandela's "long march is finished... And he can ultimately rest".
Current South African President Jacob Zuma made the keynote refer but was booed in a number of parts of the ceremony.
He held Mr Mandela was "one of a kind... A fearless abandon fighter who refused to allow the brutality of the apartheid state to be on your feet in way of the struggle in support of the liberation of his people".
Mr Zuma announced he was renaming the Union Buildings in Pretoria, somewhere Mr Mandela will fib in state, as the Mandela Amphitheatre.
He held Nelson Mandela had trained the earth the power of skirmish and the power of ideas, and with the purpose of it had taken a man like Mr Mandela to limitless not simply the prisoner but plus the keeper. Mr Obama held: "We will not at all see to it that the likes of Nelson Mandela again. While I will forever fall undersized of Madiba (Mr Mandela's clan name), he makes me wish for to be a better man."
On his way to the plinth, President Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro, an unmatched gesture flanked by the leaders of two nations with the purpose of control been next to loggerheads in support of more than partially a century.
A sallow House legitimate soon after held the two had not considered to encounter.
"This wasn't a pre-planned stumble upon," the legitimate held, quoted by AFP news agency.
"Above all in addition, these days is approaching honouring Nelson Mandela, and with the purpose of was the president's singular focus next to the commemorative plaque service. We escalate with the purpose of group from all finished the earth are participating in this ceremony."
Taking part in his refer, Mr Castro paid tribute to Mr Mandela as the "ultimate symbol of dignity and the revolutionary struggle".
Under his brother, Fidel, Cuba was a committed critic of apartheid, and Mr Mandela had uttered gratitude in support of with the purpose of support.
Taking part in his speech, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon held in attendance was "sorrow in support of a mighty loss and celebration of a mighty life".
He held: "South Africa has lost a hero, it has lost a father... He was solitary of our record teachers. He trained by illustration. He sacrificed so much and was willing to dedicate up all he had in support of abandon and democracy."
The firstly amp, ally and fellow Robben Island convict Andrew Mlangeni, held Mr Mandela had "created hope what time in attendance was none".
Many group stood in the shower waiting in support of several hours to persuade into the stadium, the BBC's Pumza Fihlani reports from the picture.
She says the crowds were in superior spirits - singing and dancing, stomping their feet - and the stadium had the feel of a opinionated rally.
Rather than bearing in mind the shower as a dampener, many in South Africa control welcomed it.
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula held: "It's a blessing from the ancestors welcoming a son of the soil."
One of individuals attending, Shahida Rowe from Johannesburg, told the BBC: "The central of Mandela's life was humanity. That is why I am now these days and the earth is celebrating.
"Thanks to him, I was recognised as a human being being."
Mr Mandela's widow, Graca Machel, here next to the stadium to gigantic cheers as she was made known on the sizeable screen.
There were cheers too of "Winnie! Winnie!" in support of ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who hugged and kissed Graca Machel.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, Chinese Vice-President Li Yuanchao, President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia and Indian President Pranab Mukherjee plus made speeches.
The ceremony was bunged by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who asked the crowd to enlargement to their feet in support of a final tribute.
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Johannesburg says the line-up of earth leaders is a sign of how South Africa has seen its partners and place in the earth since Nelson Mandela became president.
But, he adds, these days is as not public as it is opinionated - a recognition with the purpose of in attendance are instruction in support of the wider earth in everything Nelson Mandela sought to pull off.
British Prime Minister David Cameron attended Tuesday's commemorative plaque, along with Deputy Prime Minister scratch Clegg, Labour leader Ed Miliband and previous British Prime Ministers Gordon tan, Tony Blair and John main.
Three previous US presidents, George W shrub, tab Clinton and Jimmy hauler, were plus in attendance, as were Francois Hollande of France, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe.
Other mourners in attendance were Oprah Winfrey, Bono, Sir Richard Branson and Peter Gabriel.
Mr Mandela's body will fib in state in Pretoria on the following three days.
The state funeral takes place on Sunday in his back home village of Qunu in Eastern Cape province
