(VOVworld) – Millions of South Africans regardless of belief, skin color, age, or gender, prayed together for the soul of South Africa’s first black President Nelson Mandela on Sunday.

South Africans laid wreath and candles to mourn Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg city on December 8th (Photo: Reuters)

This is the start of a prayer week launched by the South African government on an unprecedented scale to praise the great leader who lit a torch of freedom and democracy for the world. South African president Jacob Zuma attended activities in Johannesburg where Nelson spent a great part of his career. In his address, Zuma expressed his thanks to South Africans for their love for the late president, calling on people to pray and dance in order to express their love and gratitude to Nelson Mandela.