Leaders pay tribute to Nelson Mandela

Tributes are being paid to former South African President Nelson Mandela who died last night. The 95-year-old anti-apartheid icon passed away peacefully at his home in Johannesburg.
His body has now been taken to a military hospital in Pretoria. South Africa’s first black President will receive a full state funeral and flags will remain at half-mast until after the burial.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who also campaigned against apartheid, says Nelson Mandela transcended race and class:
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon says Mr Mandela changed millions of people’s lives.
And former President Mary Robinson paid tribute by saying: “May he rest in peace, and may his spirit continue to inspire millions throughout the world.”
Meanwhile the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin says his legacy will never be forgotten.
The Taoiseach Enda Kenny says a great light has been extinguished, and he said Mr. Mandela’s journey transformed not just South Africa, but humanity itself.
President Michael D. Higgins says he will be remembered for all time as one of the most heroic figures the world has ever known.
“One of the greatest leaders of all time – and also I think it’s very, very clear (that) his physical passing does not mean that his incredible example will not continue – it will” he said.
“It will aspire people for a long time – just like in a way that people will have referred to Gandhi, they will refer to Nelson Mandela the same way” he added.