09 December 2013 | 18:10

Nursultan Nazarbayev condoles death of Nelson Mandela

Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev. ©RIA Novosti

Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev sent a telegram of condolences to South African President Jacob Zuma over Nelson Mandela's death, official website of Akorda (presidential administration). President of Kazakhstan pointed out that he grievously accepted the news of Nelson Mandela's death. "Internationally renowned President Nelson Mandela was a brave fighter; he dedicated his life to struggling against discrimination and apartheid and became the builder of the new democratic and secular nation. The paradigm example of his life inspired many nations all over the world to fight for their independence and brought hope to people. The bright image of this wise person will remain in the history forever as a symbol of the national liberation struggle and independence of the African nations," the telegram says. Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed deep condolences to the South African nation on behalf of the Kazakhstan people and himself personally. Nelson Mandela, the icon of South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle and a colossus of 20th century politics, died on December 5 aged 95, prompting mass mourning and a global celebration of his astonishing life. South African President Jacob Zuma announced to the nation and the world by an emotional, in a live late-night broadcast that the Nobel Peace laureate, who was elected South Africa's first black president after spending nearly three decades in jail, died at his Johannesburg home surrounded by his family, after a long battle against lung infection. "Our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation, has departed," said Zuma, whose own role in the struggle against white rule saw him imprisoned with Mandela on Robben Island. "Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father." Zuma announced Mandela will receive a full state funeral and he ordered flags to remain at half-mast until after the burial. National flags were also lowered in countries including the United States, testament to the anti-apartheid's titanic status far beyond South Africa. His death had long been expected, coming after a spate of hospitalisations with lung infections and three months of intensive care at home. But the announcement came as a shock nonetheless. He spent 27 years behind bars before being freed in 1990 to lead the African National Congress (ANC) in negotiations with the white minority rulers which culminated in the first multi-racial elections in 1994. A victorious Mandela served a single term as president before taking up a new role as a roving elder statesman and leading AIDS campaigner before finally retiring from public life in 2004. Mandela and de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their role in the ending of apartheid.

Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev sent a telegram of condolences to South African President Jacob Zuma over Nelson Mandela's death, official website of Akorda (presidential administration). President of Kazakhstan pointed out that he grievously accepted the news of Nelson Mandela's death. "Internationally renowned President Nelson Mandela was a brave fighter; he dedicated his life to struggling against discrimination and apartheid and became the builder of the new democratic and secular nation. The paradigm example of his life inspired many nations all over the world to fight for their independence and brought hope to people. The bright image of this wise person will remain in the history forever as a symbol of the national liberation struggle and independence of the African nations," the telegram says. Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed deep condolences to the South African nation on behalf of the Kazakhstan people and himself personally. Nelson Mandela, the icon of South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle and a colossus of 20th century politics, died on December 5 aged 95, prompting mass mourning and a global celebration of his astonishing life. South African President Jacob Zuma announced to the nation and the world by an emotional, in a live late-night broadcast that the Nobel Peace laureate, who was elected South Africa's first black president after spending nearly three decades in jail, died at his Johannesburg home surrounded by his family, after a long battle against lung infection. "Our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation, has departed," said Zuma, whose own role in the struggle against white rule saw him imprisoned with Mandela on Robben Island. "Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father." Zuma announced Mandela will receive a full state funeral and he ordered flags to remain at half-mast until after the burial. National flags were also lowered in countries including the United States, testament to the anti-apartheid's titanic status far beyond South Africa. His death had long been expected, coming after a spate of hospitalisations with lung infections and three months of intensive care at home. But the announcement came as a shock nonetheless. He spent 27 years behind bars before being freed in 1990 to lead the African National Congress (ANC) in negotiations with the white minority rulers which culminated in the first multi-racial elections in 1994. A victorious Mandela served a single term as president before taking up a new role as a roving elder statesman and leading AIDS campaigner before finally retiring from public life in 2004. Mandela and de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their role in the ending of apartheid.