Pretoria — South Africans are from today officially mourning the passing away of the country's goodwill ambassador and singing icon Miriam Makeba. President Kgalema Motlanthe has declared the days leading up to her funeral and cremation, starting today (thursday), as days of national mourning.

All national flags at provincial and national levels as well as diplomatic missions abroad will be flown at half-mast in remembrance and honour of the contribution that Ma Makeba made to the struggle against apartheid, through her music and unwavering commitment to humanitarian issues.

The Makeba family have not yet confirmed funeral arrangements, but reports indicate that it was Ma Makeba's wish to have her ashes scattered at sea.

A book of condolences has been opened for the public to write their messages of condolences to the bereaved family. It will be open to the public from Thursday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria as well as Tuynhuys in Cape Town.

The 76-year-old songstress died after a performance in Italy on Sunday and her mortal remains were flown back to South Africa on Wednesday.

In a statement, President Motlanthe said Ms Makeba's spirit will continue to live on in everyone's hearts, adding that she had made the world a better place for all who live in it.

In remembering her, the President said despite the hardship she endured at the hands of the apartheid regime and being denied the right to attend her mother's funeral in 1960, she continued to fight for her beloved country.

Ms Makeba's work for humanity earned her many accolades. She was appointed Goodwill Ambassador on behalf of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation in 1999 and received the National Order for Meritorious Service in the same year.

"In a befitting honour of her outstanding work, our own government saw it fit to appoint her South Africa's Goodwill Ambassador to assist in promoting a positive image of the country abroad," he said.

Mr Motlanthe said Ms Makeba had left a vacuum in the arts industry and the humanitarian sector and expressed the hope that her family will draw inspiration from the knowledge that there are many who looked up to her and would pursue her work.