A church founded by his mother, Noqaphi Nosekeni, in the 1960s in hi s home village of Qunu, has been restored and a multipurpose centre built .

Samsung Electronics Africa funded the restoration of the historic landmark.

The church, now a national heritage site, lay in ruins for many years until the community decided to breathe new life into it.

While Mandela was resting at his Tuscan-style home a few kilometres away, his wife Graça Machel, and other family members attended the unveiling ceremony yesterday.

"Today I can look into the eyes of our mother and tell her, 'Mama, rest in peace'," Machel said.

"When Mama passed away in 1968, Madiba was in jail and was not even allowed to come and bury her."

Machel said Mandela had battled with the pain of not being able to bury his mother.

"Again and again, Madiba thinks about the pain of a son who did not have the chance to say goodbye to his mother. Today, for Madiba and myself, it is a way of telling Mama that we love her and celebrate her life."

She said the Mandela family was grateful to the electronics company for opening its heart .

The company also provided the community with the world's first mobile solar-powered internet school, moved from Gauteng two weeks ago.

Samsung CEO KK Park said his company wanted the community to worship, learn and gather together.

"By creating spaces for the people of Qunu to grow and develop, we hope to foster the unique strength and resourcefulness within the community."

In a DVD message, Mandela's grandson, Mandla, said his grandfather "is smiling today".

"By contributing to the preservation of this important landmark, Samsung is not only restoring a church and consolidating a family legacy, but it is also contributing to the restoration of hope and dignity in the village," he said.