KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaican Government and the South African High Commission will on Thursday host a memorial service in celebration of the life of former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

The service is open to the general public and will be held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Chapel, starting at 2:00 pm. However, guests are asked to be seated by 1:30 pm.

Thursdays service replaces the previous memorial service, which was scheduled for the National Arena on Wednesday, December 11.

Mandela, the first black president of South Africa, died on Thursday, December 5, at the age of 95.

To honour Mandela, a five-day period of official mourning, which ends tomorrow, was announced. During this period the flag is being flown at half-mast on all government buildings and public offices.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who is now in South Africa for a memorial service for Mandela, is expected to return to the island on Thursday and will on Friday participate in a joint session of the Houses of Parliament to pay tribute to the iconic leader.