World leaders have been reacting to the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela, whose death was announced late Thursday by President Jacob Zuma.
“Our nation has lost its greatest son. What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves.
“Fellow South Africans, Nelson Mandela brought us together and it is together that we will bid him farewell,” South African President Zuma had said on national television.
Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan wrote on Thursday night, “Dr. Mandela served as a source of inspiration to the oppressed peoples all over the world. In the course of his life-long epic struggle for freedom, fairness, justice, equity and the human rights of his oppressed people, Dr. Mandela made unparalleled personal sacrifices.
“The indefatigable spirit which he demonstrated throughout his life will continue to inspire present and future generations”.
President of the United States, Barrack Obama described Mandela as the “most influential, courageous and profoundly good” people to have ever lived.
“He achieved more than could be expected of any man. Today he’s gone home. He no longer belongs to us. He belongs to the ages. We will likely not see the likes of Nelson Mandela again,” British Prime Minister David Cameron, had this to say, “A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a towering figure in our time; a legend in life and now in death—a true global hero.
“Across the country he loved they will be mourning a man who was the embodiment of grace. Meeting him was one of the great honours of my life. My heart goes out to his family—and to all in South Africa and around the world whose lives were changed through his courage.”
On his part, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s twitter message reads, “All of Canada mourns with the family of Nelson Mandela and the citizens of South Africa. The world has lost one of its great moral leaders.”
Tony Abbott, Australian Prime Minister, reacted thus, “Nelson Mandela will forever be remembered as more than a political leader, he was a moral leader. He spent much of his life standing against the injustice of apartheid.
“When that fight was won, he inspired us again by his capacity to forgive and reconcile his country. While the world may never see another Nelson Mandela, he has inspired countless men and women throughout the world to live more courageous and honest lives.”
