The memorial service for Mandela, who died on Thursday at the age of 95, will be held on Tuesday in Johannesburg. He will be buried next Sunday.

Pahor as well as PM Alenka Bratušek and FM Karl Erjavec joined tributes from around the world to South Africa's first black president.

While expressing their condolences, the Slovenian officials praised Mandela as an icon of fight against racism and a relentless advocate of democracy, human rights and freedom.

The Slovenian president ordered all flags on the presidential palace in Ljubljana to be lowered to half mast in remembrance of Mandela today and on the day of his funeral.