DHAKA: The national memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela is under way in Johannesburg.

Tens of thousands of South Africans have joined dozens of world leaders in the FNB stadium.

Friend and fellow Robben Island inmate Andrew Mlangeni said Mandela had ‘created hope when there was none’.

US president Barack Obama, Cuban president Raul Castro and UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon had also addressed the service.

The former South African president died last Thursday, aged 95.

The country is observing a series of commemorations leading up to the funeral on Sunday.

The memorial service is one of the biggest gatherings of international dignitaries in recent years.

It began about an hour late, with the singing of the national anthem.

BDST: 1816 HRS, DEC 10, 2013