Celebrities across the world pay tribute to Nelson Mandela

South African Oscar-winner Charlize Theron led the tributes to Nelson Mandela on Thursday night alongside movie mogul Harvey Weinstein - just hours after the Royal premiere of ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’. Mandela passed away aged 95, at home in Johannesburg at 8.50pm on Thursday and his body was moved to a military hospital in Pretoria yesterday, where he is under armed guard.Tributes Oscar-winner Charlize Theron Charlize, 38, said: ‘My thoughts and love go out to the Mandela family. Rest in Peace Madiba. You will be missed, but your impact on this world will live forever,’ adding: ‘There will never be words to say what I’m feeling right now. I am saddened to the depths of my soul. Truly.’Superstar RihannaRihanna posted a picture of Mandela on her Instagram account, with the message: ‘One of the greatest men who’s ever lived!!! #Legend We will never forget the things this man has taught us, and we will never truly comprehend the level of strength that it took for him to endure many of his years!! Thank you #Mandela.’Actor Ryan PhillippeActor Ryan recalled meeting Nelson Mandela with his daughter Ava over ten years ago.The 39-year-old actor wrote: ‘The privilege of spending a small amount of private time w/ Mr. Mandela as he held my baby daughter is a highlight of my life. Mandela was bouncing Ava, then two yrs old, on his knee & called her, “future leader”. I couldn’t believe it in that moment. I still can’t.’Idris Elba, who has the title role in “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.”“What an honor it was to step into the shoes of Nelson Mandela and portray a man who defied odds, broke down barriers, and championed human rights before the eyes of the world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.” South African male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.“The Father of our nation, Nelson Mandela, has finished his journey. One wants to think in terms of big words when describing him, but this would not be right. Among the many things one can say about our Madiba (Nelson Mandela’s tribal name) is that he never thought of himself as big. He was one of us, one of the people. His journey was our journey. And although he has physically left us now, his journey continues within us all.” Oprah Winfrey, TV personality.“One of the great honors of my life was to be invited to Nelson Mandela’s home, spend private time and get to know him. He was everything you’ve ever heard and more — humble and unscathed by bitterness. And he always loved to tell a good joke. Being in his presence was like sitting with grace and majesty at the same time. He will always be my hero. His life was a gift to us all.” Musician Bono “Mandela would be remembered as a remarkable man just for what happened — and didn’t happen — in South Africa’s transition. But more than anyone, it was he who rebooted the idea of Africa from a continent in chaos to a much more romantic view, one in keeping with the majesty of the landscape and the nobility of even its poorer inhabitants. He was also a hardheaded realist, as his economic policy demonstrated. To him, principles and pragmatism were not foes; they went hand in hand.

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Celebrities across the world pay tribute to Nelson Mandela