PRESIDENT Mandela was feted across London like a conquering hero on the second day of his triumphant state visit to Britain.
Amid the emotion Mr Mandela appealed to Britain's business leaders to destroy the legacy of apartheid by improving trade links and boosting investment.
He secured a pledge £60 million of additional aid from the British Prime Minister, Mr Major, primarily for education projects and won a commitment from Mr Major to champion South African access to the EU.
Asked about the description by the former prime minister, Baroness Thatcher, of his African National Congress as a "terrorist organisation, he said "I would us to let bygones be by to Britain and Queen Elizabeth for his ecstatic welcome.
Mr Mandela's day began early, with a tree planting ceremony which turned into a colourful celebration of South African culture in St James's Park. After returning to nearby Buckingham Palace, Mr Mandela met the Labour leader, Mr Tony Blair, and the secretary general of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
He then told a conference organised by the Confederation of British Industry that the poverty, social decay and profound inequality left behind by apartheid could be eradicated with the help of Britain's business leaders.
"The central message that I bring to you this morning is that we should build on what exists," he told an audience of more than 600 delegates.
As Mr Mandela arrived at Downing Street, staff crowded out of their offices to give him an unprecedented warm welcome. Mr Major said he could never recall an occasion when people lined the corridors of No 10.
President Mandela congratulated Mr Major for his initiative in Northern Ireland.
Later, in a ceremony in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, academic honours were heaped on Mr Mandela by eight universities.
The president then became the first Commonwealth leader to be given the honorary freedom of the City of London.
It was announced that Mr Mandela's state visit would end with a speech from the balcony of South Africa House, often the scene of pro ANC protests, arranged yesterday at Mr Mandela's request.