Order of service for Nelson Mandela memorial reveals Obama will speak alongside leaders of China, Brazil, India and Cuba

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The event at the 95,000-capacity FNB Stadium in Soweto will begin at 11am with a rendition of South Africa's national anthem - the only music in the order of service.

Interfaith prayers will then be held to reflect his world appeal before Mandela's friend, Andrew Mlangeni, who was imprisoned alongside the leader, speaks to the crowd.

Work is still ongoing for Mr Mandela's funeral in Qunu and a dome is being erected next to his house (left)

Tributes will also be made by General Thanduxolo Mandela, and 'Mandiba's' grandchildren Mbuso Mandela, Andile Mandela, Zozuko Dlamini and Phumla Mandela. 

Cuban President Raul Castro and U.S. President Barack Obama will also give speeches of thanks for the work and legacy of Mr Mandela.

Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain (centre) is also on the guestlist for the prestigious memorial

Cuba under Fidel Castro, brother of the current leader, campaigned against apartheid and Mandela visited the Communist country on one of his first foreign visits after being released from prison.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama board Air Force One to travel to South Africa where he will lead tributes to Mr Mandela

Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, Brazilian president Dilma Roussef, Namibian president Hifikepunye Pohamba and Indian president Pranab Mukherjee will also make speeches before a keynote address by South Africa's President Jacob Zuma and a sermon by Bishop Ivan Abrahams. 

Almost 100 foreign mourners are expected at the memorial, which is poised to be one of the largest such gatherings in generations.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace Mugabe (centre) arrive in Pretoria ahead of the memorial

The event will also be broadcast live to other stadiums and venues across the country to accommodate all the mourners.

Among the confirmed attendees are three former U.S. presidents, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, and British Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

A young South African girl kisses a statue of former Nelson Mandela before a service conducted by Archbishop Desmond Tutu yestertoday

Also on the guestlist are Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai and controversial Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe.

The leaders of such disparate countries as Haiti, Japan, France, Mexico and Pakistan are also due to attend.

Mr Cameron today told a special session of Parliament in which he described Mr Mandela as a 'towering figure'.

Paying tribute to the former South African president, Mr Cameron told the House of Commons the Union and South African flags would fly at half-mast on Sunday - the day of Mr Mandela's funeral.

Mr Cameron said: 'Nelson Mandela was a towering figure in our lifetime - a pivotal figure in the history of South Africa and the world - and it is right that we meet in this Parliament to pay tribute to his character, his achievements and his legacy.'