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Reader response: Nelson Mandela has died aged 95

Compiled by Robin Eberhardt and Natalie MullerDecember 6, 2013

Nelson Mandela, South Africa's anti-apartheid icon, died at the age of 95. He was imprisoned for 27 years and later became South Africa's first black president.

https://p.dw.com/p/1ATyk
Nelson Mandela tot
Image: Reuters

Mandela died on Thursday, December 5, at his home in South Africa. He was a worldwide symbol of human rights and fighter against oppression.

The following comments reflect the views of our readers. Not all reader comments have been published. DW-WORLD.DE reserves the right to edit for length and appropriateness of content.

He brought down the hatred of his people in his own country. Also, he brought Springboks on their feet! I miss him! - John San Juan, Miami, Florida

A great man... a model for transitional justice and struggle against racism - Eman Amin

Disagreed with him on almost everything, but he was a champion of freedom and he will be missed. - Shaun Rutherford

R.I.P thanks for your part in the struggle against racism in the form of Apartheid. - Christine Tishan

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” - Nelson Mandela. May his soul rest in peace - Stephen-Pipes Afrifa, Kumasi, Ghana

Like a last great man, who lived without fear… fighting for humanity… Nelson Mandela was a beautiful mind who taught us the meaning of freedom, love, above all respecting each other... in the end we are all humans, and the only word we should know and the only thing we should do is HUMANITY. - Socialista Lajava Lama Nadrealista, Belgrade, Serbia

RIP to the world's great leader Nelson Mandela. He is immortal. The world has lost another HERO. - Bikesh Shrestha, Kathmandu, Nepal

Still can't believe it...a great person, the leading personality against apartheid is now dead R.I.P. - Kostas Liatiris

95! Wow! What an amazingly strong human. RIP. - Steve Paine, Bonn, Germany

Great example of struggle for the human rights and for his country and nation! - Azam Ali Soomro

Nelson Mandela has proved that we can forget revenge, we can live together, we can forgive. - Bassel Fattoum

Long live Madiba in the heart of man. - Sirajul Islam, Calcutta, India

A man who changed the world. RIP Nelson Mandela. - Liliana Ramos

27 years in prison...but he had a dream! All my respect to one of the greatest leaders for humanity. - Sonka Rathjens

He is a role model, beyond his death. R.I.P We need more Nelsons. - Ericka Rojas Cubero

Rest in peace Nelson you be will stay a hero in the history. - Akbar Akbari

Rest in peace great man! - Emilio Cipriani, Pescara, Italy

I'll remember him as a fighter for freedom, equality and justice. - Amazigh Sifaw, Berlin, Germany

Few leaders in the world have acomplished what he has, sacrificing his own freedom. South Africa should be proud. - Artur Shmihelskyy, Chicago, Illinois

I cried, because I knew it was the end of civilization in South Africa.- Louise Miles

He added great strength to ending war and racism.- Joe Sompolinsky

Very sad day, the news of Mandela's death is a blow even if people already (knew) that this would arrive very soon. - Regis Nguema, Accra, Ghana

May his soul rest in peace. A Madiba never dies. Long live Madiba. - Atish Bhattacharya

A great leader, we will never forget Nelson Mandela. RIP - Collins Tandoh, Accra, Ghana

The world has to remember Mandela's life...there are great pearls of wisdom and political knowledge. - Telma Quiroga Lopez, Cuauhtemoc, Mexico

Indeed, a true Hero; an epitome of Democracy and Justice has fallen. May his soul rest in Perfect Peace. He played his part to make this world a better place. How about you and I? What can we be remembered for? Start right now. - Ricardo Fortune

Very, very sad. A big emptiness. God bless him. My regards and love to this beautiful country and his family. - Nana Nana

Heart-breaking news. May his soul rest in peace. - Mitul Kansal, Ludhiana, India

May his soul rest in peace. Another noble man gone, but alive forever. - Christine Novshadayan

I as a Kurd deeply respect and love this guy R.I.P. - Azad Atto, Irbil, Iraq

A Man of peace,courage and honor. - Johanna Howell

A great man who stood for justice. - Nasir Munir, Lahore, Pakistan