In pictures: South Africans gather for Nelson Mandela memorial service in Soweto

South Africans and people from around the world have began filling the FNB Stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg, ahead of a massive memorial service for the country's former president, Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday, aged 95.

Click here or the image above for pictures of mourners gathering at the stadium

More than 80,000 are expected to attend the gathering for the anti-apartheid hero at the stadium in the Soweto township where he made his last public appearance at the closing ceremony of the 2010 football World Cup.

They will hear speeches from statesmen including US president Barack Obama, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon and South African president Jacob Zuma, who will give the keynote address.

British Prime Minister David Cameron is set to be joined by his three surviving predecessors at the special commemoration service.

Also attending will be Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband.

PA