Island leaders have joined in a worldwide outpouring of love and tributes to South Africa’s first black president Nelson Mandela, who has died at 95.

Hailed as the champion against apartheid, Mr Mandela had been receiving intense home-based medical care for a lung infection after three months in hospital.

Governor George Fergusson referred to Mr Mandela as a ‘symbol of courage, principle and forgiveness’. Premier Craig Cannonier said the late leader was an ‘inspiration to all’, while Opposition Leader Marc Bean said Mr Mandela’s death would cause people around the world to reflect on the revered statesman’s ‘profound character’.

Fondly known as Madiba to his people, family and friends, Mr Mandela led South Africa’s transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was one of the world’s most revered statesmen. He had rarely been seen in public since officially retiring in 2004.

Mr Mandela’s passing was announced by South Africa’s president Jacob Zumba, who mourned the departure of his nation’s ‘greatest son’.

Last night, Mr Fergusson said: “President Nelson Mandela’s death marks the passing of one of the world’s few truly unifying figures.

“His contribution to transition and reconciliation in South Africa is remarkable.

“But the whole world owes him a debt as a symbol of courage, principle and forgiveness. We will all mourn him.”

Reacting moments after news broke of the death of the anti-apartheid icon, Mr Cannonier said Mr Mandela’s struggle against repression ‘embodied the very best of the human spirit’.

“Today the world has lost an iconic leader; to some a brother, to many a friend, to all an inspiration — former South African President Nelson Mandela.

“On behalf of the Bermuda Government, I join with the people of Bermuda in expressing our deep sense of loss at his passing. His lifelong struggle against the forces of repression and darkness embodied the very best of the human spirit.

“Though we mourn his departure, we can also celebrate the meaning of his life and draw strength and encouragement from his example,” said Premier Cannonier.

“Mr Mandela will be immortalised as the man who, by his actions, words and presence, led the fight to abolish apartheid in his native South Africa and then replace it with a multiracial democracy.

“He was an inspiration to people everywhere, no more so than following his release from prison in 1990 when he turned the other cheek to steer a traumatised and divided nation toward peace instead of war; toward forgiveness instead of retribution.

“He was a man whose actions and words set an example for a better world. He saw more completely than most the flaws in human nature and sought more effectively than any other voice of his time to overcome them.

“Mr Mandela’s life was a triumph of perseverance over surrender, of hope over despair, of unity over division. He made his enemies his partners and challenged all of us, by his own example, to be better — to live with love in our hearts, no matter how challenging that might be,” said Mr Cannonier.

“His quest transcended all our differences, to glow in our hearts as a beacon to reconciliation, forgiveness and brotherly love.”

A role model for humanity, the Premier described Mr Mandela as “a towering source of pride and inspiration for oppressed people everywhere, who can know by his life that justice follows injustice, that good can prevail over evil and that the light shall follow the dark”.

“Nelson Mandela — a just and righteous man; surely touched by God. May he rest in peace and live long in our hearts.”

Meanwhile, Progressive Labour Party Leader Mr Bean said the news of Mr Mandela’s passing “has caused many around the world to reflect on the great, deep and profound human character that he exemplified in the midst of adversity not just for himself, but for an entire people”.

“What stands out clear in my mind today as I received the news was to reflect on the blood that was shed by the freedom fighters who did their part in eradicating the most vicious and ignoble system of Government known to man,” said Mr Bean.

“It is my hope that we in Bermuda do not use President Mandela’s passing as an excuse not to address similar, but yet more subtle attitudes that exist within the thinking of us as a people.

“May he and all the freedom fighters against apartheid and colonialism rest in peace,” he added.

Hailed for his commitment to “freedom, justice and equality”, the Progressive Labour Party commended President Mandela for his “resolute determination to build one South African people out of the ashes of Apartheid”. “He will be an inspiration for generations to come,” said Mr Bean.

“On behalf of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party, I extend condolences to the family of Nelson Mandela. Those who have known and loved him most, have borne the heaviest burden and have sacrificed much to support the work of this great man.

“Over the years he was falsely reviled as a terrorist, unjustly imprisoned on Robben Island, elected President of a free South Africa and became a global figure of honour and integrity. His family’s sacrifice and support of this icon, allowed not just South Africa, but the world to benefit, grow and progress.

“Nelson Mandela was a leader, a freedom fighter, an African and an inspiration to us all. The Father of his nation has become a father to everyone who believes in a world with opportunity for all and special privilege for none.”