South Africans will observe a national day of prayer today, in honour of Nelson Mandela who died on Thursday.

People are being encouraged to go to halls, churches and temples to remember the anti-apartheid icon.

President Jacob Zuma will attend a service in Johannesburg.

It is not known yet if members of Mr Mandela's family will be there too.

Meanwhile, the President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina will fly out to South Africa later - ahead of a memorial service on Tuesday at Johannesburg football stadium.  

They're to be joined by the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and one of the members of the famous 1984 Dunnes Stores, anti-apartheid strike group, who was asked yesterday to be a part of  the official state delegation.

The 10 remaining staff members - who took part in the two and a half year protest - will also to fly to South Africa today to pay their respects - thanks to the Irish Trade Movement who've offered to pay for the trip.

They're currently liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs.