DHAKA: South Africa’s parliament is to meet to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, as world leaders prepare for Tuesday’s memorial service.

The special sitting comes at the start of a week of commemorative events before a state funeral on 15 December.

Some 60 world leaders are expected to attend either the funeral or a national memorial service on Tuesday, reports BBC.

On Sunday, millions took part in a ‘day of prayer’ to remember the country’s first black president.

Over the next eight days, a series of events will commemorate the man who steered their country out of white-minority rule.

US president Barack Obama, Francois Hollande of France and UK PM David Cameron will be among those attending Tuesday’s memorial at a Soweto stadium.

On Saturday, Cuban state media announced that president Raul Castro would be one of those attending Mandela’s funeral.

Under Castro’s brother Fidel, Cuba was a staunch critic of apartheid, and Mandela had expressed gratitude for his support.

BDST: 1427 HRS, DEC 09, 2013