Pahor addressed a group of young people in front of the Mandela House, where crowds of people have been gathering since the start of the funeral ceremonies.

He told them that they should be honoured to have lived with such an important personality. "Nothing is taken for granted in this life, you have to struggle following the ideas of Tata Madiba," he was cited as saying by his office.

Pahor also took part in Tuesday's memorial service at the Johannesburg stadium.