Nelson Mandela's funeral to take place on Dec 15: SA President

Johannesburg, Dec 6: South African President Jacob Zuma said the

of iconic leader and the country's first black president

, who died on Thursday night, will take place on December 15. US President Barack Obama might attend the occasion in

, reports said.

The state funeral is likely to take place in Qunu, the birthplace of Mandela, who was 95 at the time of the death.

On Friday, South Africans united to mourn the demise of the leader and there was also an apprehension that racial tensions could revive in the country following Mandela's death. The physical absence of the man who had done so much for peace and reconciliation in the country spread a sense of unease.

Malala Yousufzai called Nelson Mandela her leader

Meanwhile, Pakistani teen activist Malala Yousufzai, who survived a deadly attack by the Taliban for campaigning for girl education, described Mandela as her leader and said he was a "perpetual inspiration" for people all across.

Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also paid tribute to Mandela, saying the latter was a "truly inspirational human being".

OneIndia News