Nelson Mandela's state funeral is under way at his ancestral home in Qunu, ending a week of commemorations for South Africa's first black leader.
Some 4,500 people - including foreign dignitaries - are attending the service, which blends state ceremonial with traditional rituals.
A close friend, Ahmed Kathrada, told the service he had lost an "elder brother" who was with him for many years in prison on Robben island.
Mr Mandela died on 5 December aged 95.
The coffin was taken on a gun carriage from Mr Mandela's house early on Sunday to a giant white marquee that had been specially erected.
Members of the family had attended an overnight vigil, where a traditional praise singer is believed to have chanted details of his long journey and life.
Some 4,500 people - including foreign dignitaries - attended the state funeral
President Zuma sat between Mr Mandela's widow Graca Machel and his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
'Sad but happy'
On Saturday, Mr Mandela's coffin was flown from Waterkloof airbase in Pretoria on a C130 military aircraft, escorted by two fighter jets. It later landed at Mthatha airport, some 700km (450 miles) away.
In line with tribal custom, Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla accompanied him on the journey, speaking to his coffin to tell him he was on his way home to rest.
His funeral will be conducted according to the traditions of the Xhosa people, from which he comes
To solemn music, the coffin was moved by a military guard of honour and placed in a hearse to begin the 32km journey to Qunu, where Mr Mandela had wanted to spend his final days.
Crowds waving flags and cheering and singing lined the route taken by the cortege through Mthatha town to pay their last respects.
The cortege then drove through the gates of the Mandela homestead in Qunu.
Ahead of the flight to the Eastern Cape, members of the African National Congress paid final tributes to Nelson Mandela at a ceremony in Pretoria.
President Zuma, other ANC leaders and more than 1,000 members of the organisation which Mr Mandela once led, attended the event at the Waterkloof air base.
At least 100,000 people saw the former president's body lying in state for three days in Pretoria, but some had to be turned away.
Many people walked to watch the funeral on the Mandela family's property in Qunu.
Nelson Mandela always said he wanted to be buried in his childhood home
Nelson Mandela's smiling portrait welcomed the guests inside the giant marquee in Qunu.
President Zuma said South Africans would continue to build on Mr Mandela's legacy
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