Pre-Nelson Mandela memorial in photos

Hundreds of people braved the cold rainy weather in Johannesburg on Tuesday to pay tribute to former president Nelson Mandela.

The crowd at the FNB Stadium south of Johannesburg, mostly occupying the upper levels, sang praises to the late president ahead of the official memorial service scheduled to start at 11am.

Mandela died at his Houghton home in Johannesburg on Thursday night at the age of 95.

Here are some Instagram pictures taken before the start of the memorial by Mail & Guardian's social media editor Haji Mohamed​ Dawjee.

Meanwhile, tweeters also posted photographs from the stadium. Here are a few:

#Mandela Photo: Stadium filling up. Atmosphere already charged. pic.twitter.com/4PNLCn9Y3T

— Alex Eliseev (@alexeliseev) December 10, 2013

#Mandela Mourners streaming through Gate K. @eNCAnews pic.twitter.com/Lb92QEQEQ7

— Nickolaus Bauer (@NICKolausBAUER) December 10, 2013

#MandelaMemorial Crowds entering FNB stadium chanting Viva #Mandela pic.twitter.com/khiVHFLlta

— Nomsa Maseko (@nomsa_maseko) December 10, 2013

ANC supporters dance, sing as their prepare for the #Mandela memorial. It also helps to keep warm. pic.twitter.com/zqOlGzZ2RY

— Azad Essa (@azadessa) December 10, 2013

– Additional reporting by Sapa