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World remembers inspiring leader

World remembers  inspiring leader

The UK joined the rest of the world in mourning the loss of anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela as crowds gathered in London and elsewhere to remember the inspiring leader.

South African President Jacob Zuma announced on Thursday night that Mr Mandela, 95, had died peacefully, surrounded by family, at his home in Johannesburg.

The announcement prompted vigils and outpourings of grief but also celebration from politicians, celebrities and the public across the globe as Mr Mandela’s contributions to his country and the world are remembered.

In the UK, the Queen led the tributes to South Africa’s first black president after visiting a plaque commemorating Mr Mandela’s 1996 visit to parliament.

“The Queen was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Nelson Mandela last night,” a statement from Buckingham Palace read.

“He worked tirelessly for the good of his country, and his legacy is the peaceful South Africa we see today.”

The Prince of Wales described the Nobel Peace Prize winner as “the embodiment of courage and reconciliation”.

“With his passing, there will be an immense void not only in his family’s lives, but also in those of all South Africans and the many others whose lives have been changed through his fight for peace, justice and freedom,” he said.

Westminster Abbey will hold a national service of thanksgiving for the life of Mr Mandela after the state funeral in South Africa.

A book of condolence has been opened in St Margaret’s Church at the Abbey.

Hundreds of people formed a long queue at South Africa House in Trafalgar Square to write in a book set up there.

At the front of the queue, a teary Lorna Soar, originally from South Africa, summed up the feelings of many when she said simply: “At least he’s at peace now.”

A vigil was held in the square last night to honour the renowned leader.

Flowers and a framed picture of Mr Mandela were laid at the base of his statue in London’s Parliament Square in the early hours.

One tribute on a card read: “Thank you for the sacrifices you made for all of us.”

A second read: “May God shine light on your homecoming in heaven. Rest in Peace, Mr Mandela.”

Prime Minister David Cameron was the first to sign the book of condolence at South Africa House.

“Your cause of fighting for freedom and against discrimination, your struggle for justice, your triumph against adversity – these things will inspire generations to come,” Mr Cameron wrote.

“And through all of this, your generosity, compassion and profound sense of forgiveness have given us all lessons to learn and live by.”

The grief felt in the UK mirrored that felt around the world, as evidenced by social media website Twitter.

In the five hours after Mr Mandela’s death broke, 7.2million tweets were posted, with a peak of 95,000 per minute.

News of Mr Mandela’s death broke while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were attending a royal premiere of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom in London’s Leicester Square.

William, with Kate beside him, gave a sombre tribute after leaving the cinema.

“We were just reminded of what an extraordinary and inspiring man Nelson Mandela was,” he said.

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