Tributes have flooded in from across the world after it was announced that South Africa’s first black president Nelson Mandela had died at the age of 95.
The anti-apartheid icon, held in the highest esteem across the world for leading his nation’s transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s after 27years in prison, had been receiving medical care for a lung infection at his home.
Mr Mandela spent his final months surrounded by family after being released from hospital following a three month stay and passed away peacefully, President Jacob Zuma announced in a televised address last night.
“Our nation has lost its greatest son,” Mr Zuma said. “Our people have lost a father.
“What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves.”
A law student turned freedom fighter, his battle to end the system of apartheid that tore apart his nation led to his incarceration in a tiny cell in the infamous Robben Island jail.
Prime Minister David Cameron said “a great light has gone out in the world” while US president Barack Obama mourned the loss of “one of the most influential, courageous, and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this earth”.
Mr Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and was elected South Africa’s first black president the following year. American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson said Mr Mandela’s “imprint” would be “everlasting”.
The world learnt of his death as royalty, celebrities and fans were watching the royal premiere of a film chronicling his incredible life.
In a twist of fate, it was during the screening in London’s Leicester Square that Mr Mandela’s daughter Zindzi Mandela was informed her 95-year-old father had died peacefully at home.
A statement from Buckingham Palace said: “The Queen was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Nelson Mandela last night. He worked tirelessly for the good of his country, and his legacy is the peaceful South Africa we see today.
“Her Majesty remembers with great warmth her meetings with Mr Mandela and sends her sincere condolences to his family and the people of South Africa at this very sad time.”
Flags at the Scottish Parliament have been lowered to half mast as a mark of respect.
Presiding officer Tricia Marwick MSP has written to the South African high commissioner to offer condolences on behalf of the parliament.
She said: “Nelson Mandela was an inspirational figure, not just in South Africa but throughout the world and particularly here in Scotland.
“His affection for Scotland was returned when he visited Glasgow in 1993 where he recognised that the city had been the first place in the world to grant him Freedom of the City while he was still imprisoned on Robben island.
“On behalf of all Members of the Scottish Parliament, I extend our sincere sympathies to Mr Mandela’s family and to the people of South Africa.”
A gathering to celebrate Mr Mandela’s life will be held at Nelson Mandela Place in Glasgow at 5pm today, organised by ACTSA Scotland, the successor organisation of the Scottish Anti-Apartheid Movement.
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