The official Twitter account of the Nelson Mandela Foundation tweeted: "Death is something inevitable.When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people & his country,he can rest in peace" #Madiba
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott told Fairfax radio, "Nelson Mandela was one of the great figures of Africa, arguably one of the great figures of the last century."
Former US Presidents Bush and Carter have also released statements honoring Mandela.
George H.W. Bush said, "Barbara and I mourn the passing of one of the greatest believers in freedom we have had the privilege to know. As President, I watched in wonder as Nelson Mandela had the remarkable capacity to forgive his jailers following 26 years of wrongful imprisonment -- setting a powerful example of redemption and grace for us all."
George W. Bush said, "Laura and I join the people of South Africa and the world in celebrating the life of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. President Mandela was one of the great forces for freedom and equality of our time. He bore his burdens with dignity and grace, and our world is better off because of his example. This good man will be missed, but his contributions will live on forever."
Jimmy Carter said, "Rosalynn and I are deeply saddened by the death of Nelson Mandela. The people of South Africa and human rights advocates around the world have lost a great leader. 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."
2224 GMT: Reaction continues to pour in, with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calling Mandela "a giant for justice" and the French Foreign Minister saluting him as "a charismatic giant".
Irish prime minister Enda Kenny paid tribute to the "gift" of Mandela, and offered the country's deepest sympathies to the people of South Africa. "The name Mandela stirred our conscience and our hearts. It became synonymous with the pursuit of dignity and freedom across the globe," he said in a statement.
2215 GMT: British Prime Minister David Cameron said "a great light had gone out" following Nelson Mandela's death, revealing that flags would be flown at half-mast at his Downing Street Office.
US President Barack Obama will deliver a statement on Mandela's death from the White House at 2220 GMT.
2211 GMT: Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 1993 with Frederik Willem de Klerk "for their work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa".
Fellow Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, "He is by far the most admired and revered statesperson in the world and one of the greatest human beings to walk this earth."
2206 GMT: Mandela had been receiving treatment for a lung infection at his Johannesburg home since September, after three months in hospital in a critical state.
Mandela is survived by three daughters, 18 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three step-grandchildren. He had four step-children through his marriage to Graca Machel, whom he married on his 80th birthday.
2157 GMT: South African President Jacob Zuma addressed the nation to inform them of the passing of Nelson Mandela at 95 years old.
A sombre Zuma said, "Fellow South Africans, our beloved Nelson Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation, has departed. He passed on peacefully in the company of his family around 20:50 on the 5th of December, 2013. He is now resting. He is now at peace. Our nation has lost its greatest son."
Zuma announced that all flags will fly at half-mast from tomorrow until after the state funeral.
Zuma reminded his nation, "As we gather to pay our last respects, let us conduct ourselves with the dignity and respect that Madiba personified.
"Let us be mindful of his wishes and the wishes of his family.
"Let us commit ourselves to strive together? to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa.
What a life well spent, Rest In Peace Madiba we will always remember you
yesterday the world stood still, an hero fell, a man we can neva forget. I think our leaders shld learn frm this. if u die, will the world stand still for you, will u b remembered after 10yrs of ur death. like the bible says a good name is beta than a fame and money. make a difference in the world today. Rest in Madiba, u hv made a difference that can neva b 4gotten
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