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Live from Abu Dhabi Connect the World takes you on a journey across continents, investigating the stories that are changing our world.

Live from Abu Dhabi Connect the World takes you on a journey across continents, investigating the stories that are changing our world.

Celebrations at Mandela's memorial

December 11th, 2013
05:51 PM ET

The rich, the powerful. The famous and the family. All of them bidding goodbye to anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela on Wednesday, the first of three days his body will lie in state at the seat of South Africa's government.

First was South African President Jacob Zuma, then came Mandela's widow Graça Machel and former wife Winnie Mandela, both wearing black turbans.

In near silence, dozens of family members passed by as military honor guards dressed in white flanked the coffin on each end.

There were others too. Former South African leaders Thabo Mbeki and F.W. de Klerk, the country's last apartheid-era president and Nobel Peace Prize winner. U2's Bono also paused for a moment before moving on.

But what did Mandela's memorial day mean for everyday citizens of South Africa?

Becky looks at how South Africans came together to celebrate the life of anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela with footage taken by CNN iReporters in the country.

Contribute: Nelson Mandela: Your Memories

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Filed under:  Africa • Video

iReporter: Philippines situation is grim

November 12th, 2013
11:52 AM ET

Typhoon Haiyan has killed too many people to count so far and pushed to the brink of survival thousands more who have lost everything, have no food or medical care and are drinking filthy water to stay alive.

By Tuesday, officials had counted 1,774 of the bodies, but say that number may just be scratching the surface. They fear Haiyan may have taken as many as 10,000 lives.

The storm has injured 2,487 more and displaced at least 580,000 people since it made landfall six times last Friday, the government said.

As authorities rush to save the lives of survivors four days after Haiyan ripped the Philippines apart, a new tropical low, Zoraida, blew in Tuesday delivering more rain, the Philippine national weather agency PAGASA reported.

Zoraida is not a strong storm, but has dumped just under four inches of rain in some places, CNN meteorologists say.

It is holding up desperately needed aid in at least one province, Iloilo, where Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. has grounded relief flights until it has passed.

Zoraida also slowed air aid in the neighboring province of Cebu, an official said, although military planes continue flying at the maximum-allowed level of risk there.

As night falls Tuesday, darkness will further hamper flights, said Lt. Col. Marciano Jesus Guevara. Unless runways are lit, pilots will not be permitted to land. Electricity is out throughout devastated areas, and it may take months to restore it, authorities said.

Boats and trucks will still operate, but like in many areas, whole houses, vehicles, trees and high piles of debris cover miles of roadways in affected regions.

It will take heavy machinery and much time to clear them, and although international supplies have begun to arrive at airports, much of it is still not getting through to people who need it most.

Leo Udtohan, a CNN iReporter in Bohol Province, Philippines, gives his account of the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.

Read: How to help Typhoon Haiyan survivors