As news spread of Nelson Mandela's death, there was an immediate outpouring from around the world for the famed civil rights and nonviolence activist.
In honor of Nelson Mandela, who died today, here is an image of South Africa from #ISS: https://t.co/JkwMuxcGm0
NASA
@NASA
In honor of Nelson Mandela, who died today, here is an image of South Africa from #ISS: https://t.co/JkwMuxcGm0
Just moments after the news was announced, Mandela and Madiba (his South African nickname) were immediately trending on twitter.
7 MILLION Mandela tweets in last 24hrs. 5M using words 'Nelson Mandela', 1M million #RIPNelsonMandela, another 1M 'RIP Nelson Mandela'
Anne-Marie Tomchak
@AMTomchak
7 MILLION Mandela tweets in last 24hrs. 5M using words 'Nelson Mandela', 1M million #RIPNelsonMandela, another 1M 'RIP Nelson Mandela'
Political figures from around the world chimed in with their condolences.
President Obama: "I am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela's life."
The White House
@WhiteHouse
President Obama: "I am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela's life."
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron:
A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time. I've asked for the flag at No10 to be flown at half mast.
David Cameron
@David_Cameron
A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time. I've asked for the flag at No10 to be flown at half mast.
The United Nations:
Ban Ki-moon on #Mandela: I will never forget his selflessness and deep sense of shared purpose.
United Nations
@UN
Ban Ki-moon on #Mandela: I will never forget his selflessness and deep sense of shared purpose.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper:
All of Canada mourns with the family of Nelson Mandela and the citizens of South Africa. The world has lost one of its great moral leaders.
Stephen Harper
@pmharper
All of Canada mourns with the family of Nelson Mandela and the citizens of South Africa. The world has lost one of its great moral leaders.
Former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard:
The world has lost a great man. As we grieve for Nelson Mandela we should also celebrate his tremendous victory over prejudice and hate. JG
Julia Gillard
@JuliaGillard
The world has lost a great man. As we grieve for Nelson Mandela we should also celebrate his tremendous victory over prejudice and hate. JG
Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council:
Nelson #Mandela - one of the greatest political figures of our times. Let's honour his memory by collective commitment to democracy
Herman Van Rompuy
@euHvR
Nelson #Mandela - one of the greatest political figures of our times. Let's honour his memory by collective commitment to democracy
Queen Noor of Jordan:
Rest in Peace dearest Mandiba #NelsonMandela
Noor Al Hussein
@QueenNoor
Rest in Peace dearest Mandiba #NelsonMandela
Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete:
The world has lost one of its greatest citizens. A voice of courage, a source of inspiration and a beloved leader to us all. #Mandela
Jakaya Kikwete
@jmkikwete
The world has lost one of its greatest citizens. A voice of courage, a source of inspiration and a beloved leader to us all. #Mandela
Ghana President John Dramani Mahama:
Nelson #Mandela served his nation n Africa well. We have lost an icon in the liberation struggle n an illustrious son of our continent.
John Dramani Mahama
@JDMahama
Nelson #Mandela served his nation n Africa well. We have lost an icon in the liberation struggle n an illustrious son of our continent.
Former South African President F. W. de Klerk:
"I always respected him and I always liked him as a person," F.W. de Klerk, the last president of apartheid-era South Africa on CNN
The Africa Channel
@AfricaChannelTV
"I always respected him and I always liked him as a person," F.W. de Klerk, the last president of apartheid-era South Africa on CNN
Rwandan President Paul Kagame:
Madiba- President (1st,post-apartheid SA) passes on-but what is certain he will continue to live in the hearts of many of us # rest in peace
Paul Kagame
@PaulKagame
Madiba- President (1st,post-apartheid SA) passes on-but what is certain he will continue to live in the hearts of many of us # rest in peace
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff: "The fight of #Mandela became a paradigm for all those who struggle for justice, freedom and equality."
O combate de #Mandela transformou-se em um paradigma para todos aqueles que lutam pela justi๺, pela liberdade e pela igualdade.
Dilma Rousseff
@dilmabr
O combate de #Mandela transformou-se em um paradigma para todos aqueles que lutam pela justi๺, pela liberdade e pela igualdade.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford:
We join the people of South Africa in mourning the loss of Nelson Mandela, a true leader and advocate for freedom and democracy.
Mayor Rob Ford
@TOMayorFord
We join the people of South Africa in mourning the loss of Nelson Mandela, a true leader and advocate for freedom and democracy.
There were also some controversial responses, like from embattled Syrian President Bashar Al Assad.
#Syria presidency eulogizing #Mandela as "inspiration for oppressed people" around the world https://t.co/YH3sW19v0j
Sam Dagher
@samdagher
#Syria presidency eulogizing #Mandela as "inspiration for oppressed people" around the world https://t.co/YH3sW19v0j
Others expressed hope over what Mandela's spirit could still inspire.
We need a Syrian, a Palestinian, an Israeli, an Iranian, an Iraqi, an Egyptian, a Lebanese, a Bahraini, a Yemeni #Mandela
Chris Doyle
@Doylech
We need a Syrian, a Palestinian, an Israeli, an Iranian, an Iraqi, an Egyptian, a Lebanese, a Bahraini, a Yemeni #Mandela
Mandela inspired millions of people to fight for equal rights.He fought hard to show world that all deserved to have access to decent life
Egyptian Women
@EgyptWomen2011
Mandela inspired millions of people to fight for equal rights.He fought hard to show world that all deserved to have access to decent life
Thank you #NelsonMandela for all you did, and for inspiring so many of the activists who sit in prisons today, attempting the same struggle
Maryam Alkhawaja
@MARYAMALKHAWAJA
Thank you #NelsonMandela for all you did, and for inspiring so many of the activists who sit in prisons today, attempting the same struggle
@NelsonMandela was considered a terrorist, then an icon. His consistency and support for the oppressed was respectable.Prayers
Tariq Ramadan
@TariqRamadan
@NelsonMandela was considered a terrorist, then an icon. His consistency and support for the oppressed was respectable.Prayers
Wherever we are in the world let us recall the values for which #Madiba fought. #mandela
Cobus Visagie
@Drieman3
Wherever we are in the world let us recall the values for which #Madiba fought. #mandela
In Mandela style, others questioned their leader's responses.
Four months ago, Egyptian FM blasted South Africa's 'attempt to export it's failed reconciliation process', today they mourn Mandela. #Egypt
Galal
@GalalAmrG
Four months ago, Egyptian FM blasted South Africa's 'attempt to export it's failed reconciliation process', today they mourn Mandela. #Egypt
"We had our philosophical differences but we regret his departure. RIP Nelson Mandela. Also IRAN WILL GET THE BOMB!" Benjamin Netanyahu
Karl Sharro
@KarlreMarks
"We had our philosophical differences but we regret his departure. RIP Nelson Mandela. Also IRAN WILL GET THE BOMB!" Benjamin Netanyahu
Sports teams and celebrities also mourned the world's loss.
We are saddened to hear of Nelson Mandela's death. He was a truly great man.
Manchester United
@ManUtd
We are saddened to hear of Nelson Mandela's death. He was a truly great man.
I'm hearing about Nelson Mandela's death while on African soil in Oran, Algeria. Sending prayers to Mandela's family.
@MikeTyson
I'm hearing about Nelson Mandela's death while on African soil in Oran, Algeria. Sending prayers to Mandela's family.
RIP Nelson Mandela, who truly changed the world with his sacrifice...it was an honor to have been in his presence.
Gloria Estefan
@GloriaEstefan
RIP Nelson Mandela, who truly changed the world with his sacrifice...it was an honor to have been in his presence.
Muhammad Ali on Nelson Mandela's Passing: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Mandela. His was a (cont) http://t.co/DplputMOLD
Ann Curry
@AnnCurry
Muhammad Ali on Nelson Mandela's Passing: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Mandela. His was a (cont) http://t.co/DplputMOLD
The consensus, for once, was near universal.
Our reaction to #Madiba's death: Hamba Kahle Tata uqhatso ulufezile - Go well, Father, you have done all http://t.co/pOxKqoOSmn
Oxfam International
@Oxfam
Our reaction to #Madiba's death: Hamba Kahle Tata uqhatso ulufezile - Go well, Father, you have done all http://t.co/pOxKqoOSmn