“He was a hero; he fought for us and he suffered the whole world,” one South African women told ABC News about the late Nelson Mandela. Over the past weekend, droves of people celebrated the death of the anti-apartheid leader in communities and churches. Sunday, December 8, marked a National Day of Prayer —the first event of many to take place this week to honor Mandela.

“In our hearts and souls, he will always be with us,” Mandela family spokesman Themba Templeton Matanzima said in the video. Tuesday, a memorial service will be held at FNB stadium in Johannesburg. Sunday, December 15, Mandela will be laid to rest.