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FORMER South African president and anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela has passed away aged 95 at his home in Johannesburg after a long battle with illness.
The global icon was declared dead in a statement by South African president Jacob Zuma.
One of the world's most revered figures, Mandela had been in and out of hospital since last year with lung-related complications. He died at home surrounded by family at 8.50pm South African time.
"He is now resting ... he is now at peace,'' a sombre Zuma said.
Mandela was a revered figure in South African and African politics more generally, serving as the first president of South Africa in its post-apartheid era.
A leader in the fledgling African National Congress in the 1950s and 1960s, he was tried by the South African government and imprisoned for treason. He spent a total of 27 years in prison, 18 years of which were spent in a tiny cell on Robben Island, off the coast of Cape Town.
His release in 1990 was a moment of global celebration and signalled the coming demise of the apartheid regime in South Africa.
"Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.
"Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss.
"His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world."
He described Mandela as a man who "brought South Africans together".
All South African flags will be lowered to half mast until after Mandela's state funeral, he said.
His Johannesburg home in the up-market Houghton suburb had been reconfigured for him to receive intensive care.
"Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.
"Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss.
"His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world."
He described Mandela as a man who "brought South Africans together".
All South African flags will be lowered to half mast until after Mandela's state funeral, he said.
His Johannesburg home in the up-market Houghton suburb had been reconfigured for him to receive intensive care.
A globally admired figure for steering his nation peacefully into democracy, his health problems had already prompted outpourings of well wishes around the world.
His passing will be particularly felt at home though where he remained a symbol of unity, despite having been out of the public eye for several years.
Mandela served one term as president after he became the nation's first leader elected in all-race polls in 1994.
He had walked free from prison in 1990.
UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon said he was "profoundly saddened" by Mandela's passing.
"He touched our lives in deeply personal ways. Mandela showed what was possible in our world," he said. "His moral force was decisive in dismantling the system of apartheid."
Prime Minister Tony Abbott paid tribute to Mr Mandela shortly after the news of his passing.
Mr Abbott said while he had never met Mr Mandela, he thought he was an extraordinary man.
"Nelson Mandela was one of the great figures of Africa … and arguably one of the great figures of the century," Mr Abbott told 3AW's Neil Mitchell.
"A truly great man.
"While I never met him I did read that book A Long Walk to Freedom and the impression I got of Nelson Mandela is that he was someone who suffered but was not bitter but enabled by that suffering."
In a later statement Mr Abbott said Mr Mandela would be remembered not just as a political leader but 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," the Prime Minister said.
"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.
"On behalf of the Australian government and the Australian community, I extend my condolences to Mr Mandela's family and to the people of South Africa."
US President Barack Obama said Mandela "achieved more than can be expected of any man".
"He no longer belongs to us. He belongs to the ages."
"He did it all with grace and good humour ... only makes the man more remarkable. I am one of the countless millions who have drawn inspiration from Mandela's life."
Mr Obama said the release of Mandela from prison gave him an example of what human beings could achieve "when guided by their hopes rather than their fears".
Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd added to the tributes.
"A light just went out across the world with the passing of Nelson Mandela," Mr Rudd told News Corp Australia.
"In a word, the transformational power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Man of the century: Nelson Mandela."
Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard Tweeted after she heard the news.
"The world has lost a great man. As we grieve for Nelson Mandela we should also celebrate his tremendous victory over prejudice and hate," she Tweeted.
Prince William, attending the premiere of the Mandela biopic in London with his wife the Duchess of Cambridge, described the death as "extremely sad and tragic news".
The audience was told of the death as the credits of the movie rolled.
Speaking minutes later, Prince William described Mandela as an inspiring man.
"My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, it's very sad," he said.
Mandela's two youngest daughters were told of the death at the London premiere.
British news reports suggested Zindzi, 55, ``seemed to be overcome'' shortly after going inside the cinema.
They were informed of the news by telephone ``and immediately left the cinema'', according to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
However, the pair requested that the premiere continue.
British actor Idris Elba, who plays Mandela on the big screen, later released a statement praising the former president.
``I am stunned at this very moment, in mourning with the rest of the world and Madiba's family,'' he said.
``We have lost one of the greatest human beings to have walked this earth; I only feel honoured to be associated with him.''
Former Prime Minister John Howard said Mr Mandela was one of the world's greatest figures.
"He reminded us that, whatever the odds, persistence and endurance ultimately can win through".
"His capacity to forgive those who had imprisoned him for so long was, arguably the most important quality of his leadership of South Africa. It displayed a remarkable generosity of spirit," Mr Howard said in a statement.
"Nelson Mandela's warm personality endeared him not only to his own people, but to millions around the world.
"He set a great example to the people of South Africa, who can best honour his legacy by working to ensure that the new South Africa he strove so hard to create is preserved and strengthened."
Governor-General Quentin Bryce said Mr Mandela's death brought "great sadness to the world".
"No person in our lifetime has been more admired and respected," a statement from Ms Bryce read."
"He inspired us all by his leadership and enduring commitment to the recognition of the worth of every human being. The freedom and reconciliation that followed years of injustice and struggle will continue to capture the imagination of people everywhere."
Ms Bryce remembered the "twinkling sense of humour" on the face of Mr Mandela during the last time they met.
"I remember well my last meeting with Mr Mandela, as Governor-General, in Johannesburg in March 2009. His wisdom and dignity shone through, as always. So too, the twinkling sense of humour etched on his face," she said."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr Mandela's family and the people of South Africa at this time of sorrow and mourning."
Former Foreign Minister Gareth Evans described Mandela as "simply the most impressive and humanly decent statesman I have ever met,'' he said.
Evans was captivated "by that huge luminescent smile, by his unending charm and grace, the lucid intelligence with which he discussed his country's transition problems, but above all by that extraordinary, almost unbelievable, lack of bitterness toward his Afrikaaner jailers of 27 years.''
He also was overwhelmed by Mandela's willingness to meet him to thank Australia for the "significant role'' it played in South Africa's transformation'' through sporting and economic sanctions.
Soon after, Mandela visited Australia, thanking Prime Minister Bob Hawke for putting pressure on the apartheid regime in South Africa.
``If I think of all the proud moments in my career as prime minister, there's nothing that would beat Nelson Mandela walking into my office ... he took my hand and said, and he wasn't only talking about me, 'Bob, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here','' Hawke said.
Former prime minister Malcolm Fraser had two long talks with Mandela when he was in prison.
During his talks, the cricket buff asked Fraser if Don Bradman was still alive.
Years later, Mandela revealed that in his youth his only knowledge of Australia was through that cricket legend.
"People have expected his death for quite some time now," Mr Fraser said.
"But it is still an enormously sad occasion … he was the most wonderful person.
"I believe over the next days and weeks South Africa will recall what they know of Nelson Mandela and commit themselves to working even harder to creating a … better country."
Australian sportspeople loved Mandela, whose presence in the grandstand famously helped lift South Africa to victory in rugby's 2005 World Cup, which he presented on home turf in one of sport's lasting images.
Since 2000, Australia and South Africa compete for the Mandela Challenge Plate.
A host of Australian cricketers including ex-captain Steve Waugh have met the leader and rated him an inspiration.
In 1999, prime minister John Howard attended an investiture ceremony in Pretoria to mark Mandela's appointment as a Companion of the Order of Australia.
He received Australia's highest honour for his efforts to bring multiracial democracy to his nation and for his work to build relations between Australia and South Africa.
Howard told him he was one of the great figures of the century.
"You are a person whose moral leadership, your moral depth, your political skill, your compassion, your capacity for forgiveness and reconciliation have given to the world an example that I don't think in our lifetime that we will see again.''
Mandela spoke of the impression made upon him by young Australian soldiers passing through Cape Town during World War II.
"The way they condemned racism and the way they moved amongst us ... made me feel like I ought to be like these men and fight for South Africa,'' he said.
"Those days have long passed but I still cherish the memory.''
In September 2000, Mandela made a 10-day visit to Australia when he received three honorary doctorates, addressed a ``What Makes A Champion'' conference and attended an Olympic dinner.
He also addressed a huge crowd in Melbourne to mark World Reconciliation Day, and had talks with Jewish people in his efforts to help resolve the ongoing Middle East conflict.
At a fundraising luncheon for the Nelson Mandela Children's Foundation, he urged the Australian Government and its people to reconcile with Aborigines but baulked at saying the government should say sorry.
He said when majority rule was adopted in South Africa some of the former white minority government apologised but others did not.
``I am not qualified to speak about the position in other countries,'' Mandela said modestly.
Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek gave their tribute to Mr Mandela on behalf of the opposition.
"Today we have lost a light of our world," the pair said in a joint statement.
"He achieved perhaps more than any other leader in his pursuit of peace, acceptance and justice."
The pair said Mr Mandela was an "example to the world - we must live by that example".
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his country, and all who looked to him in hope for a better world," they said.
"We are better because of Mandela. May he rest in peace."
British Prime Minister David Cameron said "a great light had gone out'' following Nelson Mandela's death, revealing that flags would be flown at half-mast at his Downing Street Office.
"A great light has gone out in the world,'' said a statement released by Cameron.
"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,'' he added.
"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."
source- www.news.com
