WORLD LEADERS AND CELEBRITIES REACTION TO NELSON MANDELA'S DEATH

 the world lost one of the most revered human rights leaders of our time when Nelson Mandela died on Thursday last week. Below is a look at how the world's leaders and celebrities reacted to his death through their speeches. enjoy.

 1.US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:

"I am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s life. My very first political action -- the first thing I ever did that involved an issue or a policy or politics was a protest against apartheid.'
'He no longer belongs to us; he belongs to the ages. Through his fierce dignity and unbending will to sacrifice his own freedom for the freedom of others, Madiba (Mandela’s clan name) transformed South Africa and moved all of us.”

2. MANMOHAN SINGH- INDIAN PRIME MINISTER:

'A giant among men has passed away. This is as much India's loss as South Africa's. He was a true Gandhian. His life and work will remain a source of eternal inspiration for generations to come. I join all those who are praying for his soul.'

3.FRANCOIS HOLLANDE- FRENCH PRESIDENT:

'He showed that human will could not only break the chains of servitude but free the energy to succeed in building a common destiny. Mandela's message will never die. It will continue to inspire freedom fighters and give confidence to people who defend just causes and universal rights.'

4. DAVID CAMERON- UK PRIME MINISTER:

'A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time.'

5. XI JINPING- CHINESE PRESIDENT:

'Mr Mandela was a world renowned statesman. With arduous and extraordinary efforts, he led the people of South Africa to success in the struggle against apartheid, making a historic contribution to the birth and development of a new South Africa. The Chinese people will forever keep in memory the outstanding contributions he made to... the development of humankind.'

6. AUNG SAN SUU KYI- MYANMAR DEMOCRACY ICON:

'I would like to express my extreme grief at the passing away of a man who stood for human rights and for equality in this world. He made us all understand that nobody should be penalised for the colour of his skin, for the circumstances into which he is born. He also made us understand that we can change the world -- we can change the world by changing attitudes, by changing perceptions. For this reason I would like to pay him tribute as a great human being who raised the standard of humanity.'

7. BILL GATES- CHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER OF MICROSOFT:

'His grace and courage changed the world. This is a sad day.'

8. OPRAH WINFREY- US TELEVISION QUEEN:

'What is so special is that you spend 27 years in prison, you come out and you do the thing that everyone thought was impossible to do, become president of the nation and change the way people feel about Africa, and then you get to live to celebrate 90. I just don't know anybody who deserves this more or anybody who we should be gathered around literally at his feet to say thank you for all that he has given the world.'

9. HILLARY CLINTON- FORMER US SECRETARY OF STATE:

'Your sacrifices, your accomplishments and your many gifts to our world have affected those no longer with us, as well as those not yet born.'

10. DESMOND TUTU- ARCHBISHOP:

'How blessed we have been. He has become the most admired statesman in the world, an icon of forgiveness and reconciliation, a moral colossus ... wonderful man, wonderful, wonderful gift to us.'

11. TONY BLAIR- FORMER UK PRIME MINISTER:

'Your name will forever be associated with the battle for justice, freedom and democracy. Your continuing fight to defeat HIV/Aids ensures you remain a beacon of hope for millions. Long after you deserved a break the struggle is still your life.'

12. SAMUEL L. JACKSON- ACTOR:

'Never met a better person in my life than Nelson Mandela. My sympathy to his family & his country.'

13. TIGER WOODS- GOLFER:

'You will always be in my heart Mr. Mandela.'

14. MUHAMMAD ALI- LEGENDARY BOXER:

'He made us realize, we are our brother's keeper and that our brothers come in all colors. What I will remember most about Mr. Mandela is that he was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge.'

15. GORDON BROWN- FORMER UK PRIME MINISTER

'Nelson Mandela is a leader no prison cell, no intimidation, no threat could silence. A man whose belief in the future was so powerful that not even 27 years behind bars and barbed wire could destroy his dream that millions could be free.'

16. BAN KI-MOON- UN SECRETARY GENERAL:

'He touched our lives in deeply personal ways.'

17. GEORGE W. BUSH- FORMER US PRESIDENT:

'I applaud the leadership he is providing on many vital causes in South Africa and around the world. Mr Mandela is a great example of courage, hope and the power of freedom.'

18. LEWIS HAMILTON- FORMULA ONE STAR:

'He has fought bravely ... and forgiven absolutely.'

19.  NAOMI CAMPBELL- SUPERMODEL:

'He's someone who I often think about when things get tough and life isn't full of roses. Nothing can be as hard as what he went through.'

20.  JIMMY CARTER- FORMER US PRESIDENT:

'His passion for freedom and justice created new hope for generations of oppressed people worldwide, and because of him, South Africa is today one of the world's leading democracies.'

21. WHOOPI GOLDBERG- ACTOR:

'I want to give the world a hug when I was told Madiba just passed. Nelson Mandela R.I.P. Time for a well earned sleep. Condolences to his family.'

22. MORGAN FREEMAN- ACTOR:

'Nelson Mandela was a man of incomparable honor, unconquerable strength, and unyielding resolve---a saint to many, a hero to all who treasure liberty, freedom and the dignity of humankind. As we remember his triumphs, let us, in his memory, not just reflect on how far we've come, but on how far we have to go.'

23. QUINCY JONES- RECORD PRODUCER:

'He was the embodiment of the spirit of 'Ubuntu,' which is the belief that the collective is always more important than the individual. As citizens of the world we should all aspire to that ideal, and all that Nelson Mandela's life represented, taking comfort in the knowledge that in so doing we will always stand in the long shadow of his greatness.'

Now, its your turn whats your tribute to mandela? what do you have to say about him? posts yours as comments