South Africans mark one year since the death of Nelson Mandela with an emotional interfaith service honouring the spirit of the antiapartheid hero, giving offerings to the ancestors for guidance.

The death of Nelson Mandela prompted numerous officials to pay tribute his contributions to South Africa and the world and express a sense of loss at the passing of the 95-year-old human rights icon.

Friends and family of Nelson Mandela laid wreaths Friday at a bronze statue of the late statesman to mark the anniversary of his death.