. ♪ >> a week of memorial events under way in south africa this morning to say good-bye to nelson mande underway inlath africa to s good bye to nelson mandela. lester is live with the latest. >>> and it is off. prince harry's race to the south pole cancelled. that doesn't mean the royal is giving up on his mission to

. ♪ >> a week of memorial events under way in south africa this morning to say good-bye to nelson mande underway inlaouth africa to s good bye to nelson mandela. lester is live with the latest. >>> and it is off. prince harry's race to the south pole cancelled. that doesn't mean the royal is giving up on his mission to reach the bottom of the world. >>> from nbc news this is a special edition of "today" with lester holt live from south africa and erica hill live from studio 1 a in rockefeller plaza. >> as wee mentioned, lester hol in soweto, south africa, where the official events to honor the life of nelson mandela are under way today. good morning, lester. >> reporter: good morning, erica. today was the official day of prayer and reflection. all that notwithstanding, it continues to be a day or a week of celebration of the life of nelson mandela. people here in the streets in soweto once again celebrating his life. we'll tell you about that. we'll tell you about the services held across south africa today from parks to churches as people gather to remember the father of their country. we will also