. >> nbc's rohit kachroo begins our coverage live from johannesburg this morning. rohit, this was not entirely unexpected news, given mr. mandela's health. how are south africans reacting? >> reporter: mara this was predictable news but painful none theless, announced late at night just before midnight south african time. many millions of south africans are still waking up to learn the news the father of this nation passed away during yesterday evening. first the mood here at nelson mandela's suburban home was fairly somber. now it is incredibly cell la braer to. people are bringing flowers, cheering, singing songs from the anti-apartheid struggle. they're celebrating his life and celebrating the lives they can now lead as a result of his anti-apartheid struggle. many people wondering here precisely what will happen next? what will the state event be. they're waiting for details about a lying in state which is expected in the next few days and about a burial which one american diplomat described as being the biggest state burial in the world since that of winston ch

rohit kachroo joins us from south africa. >> reporter: the news of nelson mandela's death was announced late last night, just before midnight. inevitably people are still waking up and millions to hear the news that the father of this nation has passed away and this has become a focal point. the suburban home where nelson mandela spent many of his final years. ats first the news here was incredibly somber but overnight and over the last few hours, people have turned up here and there in the hundreds to lay flowers, to sing songs from the anti-apartheid struggle. they've brought their families here as well and many people here are wondering precisely what happens next? waiting for news of the state procedure that goes on from here. we're expecting details later of a lying in state for nelson mandela and we're also expecting details of his burial today as well. one senior diplomat here in south africa who is familiar with the plan said that he expected that this would be the largest burial of a former leader since that of winston churchill. brian? >> thank you, rohit. rohit kachroo, a lon

nbc news correspondent roh rohit kachroo. all tonight we have seen people gathering to celebrate and sing celebrating the life of nelson mandela. while it's important to note that some will wake up to the sad news in the morning. >> reporter: that's right, brian. it is incredibly early in the morning here. almost 2:00. and many south africans haven't heard the news yet. but a few hundred of those who have came down here to nelson mande mandela's home. immediately they have gathered around us. they are singing songs from the anti-apartheid struggle. singing in all 12 languages, multi-cultural, multi-racial celebration of the rainbow nation. and one of the fascinating observations here is how young people are. like south africa itself, this crowd is young. the people here in the main have no memory of apartheid. but such is the legacy of nelson mandela, that he means almost as much to the youngsters as to the people who lived through apartheid. four hours ago president zuma broke the news to the nation and broke the hearts of m

. >> rohit kachroo, thank you so much for staying up until the wee hours with us, i really appreciate being there. thank you. we've got lots more to come. stay with us. @ñ >>> when president obama visited south africa this past summer, he brought his family to robin island to see the cell where nelson mandela had been imprisoned by the apartheid regime for so many years. because mr. mandela had been so ill this year, president obama did not personally visit with him while he was on that trip to south africa. in fact, this is interesting. the only time the two men apparently ever met in person was in 2005 in washington, when mr. obama was just starting his career in the united states senate. "the new york times" reports that the one visit started when mr. mandela's advisers told him, while he was on a trip to washington, that while he was there, he ought to take a little bit of time to try to meet this rising star young senator who had given such a great speech at the democratic national convention the year before. and so senator obama got the call, unexpectedly. he was on his way to m

. >> rohit kachroo, thank you so much for staying up until the wee hours with us, i really appreciateeing there. thank you. we've got lots more to come. stay with us. [ paper rustles, outdoor sounds ] ♪ [ male announcer ] laura's heart attack didn't come with a warning. today her doctor has her on a bayer aspirin regimen to help reduce the risk of another one. if you've had a heart attack, be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen. combinations of your favorite seafood from lobster to crab, shrimp and mussels in a savory broth. try one today, and sea food differently. now, try seven lunch choices at $7.99. sandwiches, salads and more. >>> when president obama visited south africa this past summer, he brought his family to robin island to see the cell where nelson mandela had been imprisoned by the apartheid regime for so many years. because mr. mandela had been so ill this year, president obama did not personally visit with him while he was on that trip to south africa. in fact, this is interesting. the only time the two men apparently ever met in person was i

we begin our coverage with rohit kachroo of "independent television news" reporting from south africa. rted this was a day to mourn one life lost, and a day to mark the many lives made by nelson mandela. the gift of freedom is being celebratedded here. and even those lost in the sadness of his death know how much bleaker things might have been. >> i'm very, very sad, but today i'm sad and i don't know what can i say. >> from his home last night, his coffin was brought away draped in the rainbow colors. his pain is over. but the hurt is now all theirs. yet through all the blurry eyes and broken hearts, this nation was to the broken. as the old songs of the struggle from sung, through the night. and the new day brought the start of south africa's future. >> the sun will rise tomorrow. and the next day, and the next. it may not appear as bright as yesterday, but life will carry on. >> reporter: the man who freed nelson mandela, the last apartheid president of south africa spoke today of the political enemy who became a friend. >> he was a great man. he was a very special man. i think his

we have a report from rohit kachroo of "independent television news," who's in south africa. >> firstre was silence, then cheering as south africa's hero was driven through the streets, his coffin draped in the national flag. today his death seemed real. >> there will never be someone like nelson mandela. he has done a lot for us. >> and this is how much he is loved. a rush to see his body today. others told to return tomorrow. at the seat of government o the patient procession of the pan della family, inside his widow touched his casket. supported as she walked away. world leaders had to wait in line. they were just mourners today. the the man who freed the man who freed south africa. >> i'm very sad. yesterday he was a day for celebration. today is a day for mourning. >> reporter: then the gates were opened for everyone to seeman della's body. 19 years ago this is where nelson mandela was sworn in as president. now and for the next three days he will lie in state on presoisly the same spot. there is not enough space for the people who want to be here. many who traveled through the n