DERBYSHIRE cricket captain Wayne Madsen has paid tribute to former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, who has died at the age of 95.
Mr Mandela was the country's first black president and is known throughout the world for his anti-apartheid stance and led the nation's transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison.
The statesman had been receiving medical care for a lung infection at his home, where hundreds of reporters had gathered ahead of rumours of his ill-health and where he was staying following a three-month hospital stay.
Since his hospital release, the South African presidency described Mr Mandela's condition as critical but stable, although rumours were this week circulated that he was on his death bed.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and was elected South Africa's first black president in 1994.
Madsen, 29, who was born and raised in Durban, said Mr Mandela was an "incredible man"
"I grew up in a white, English-style environment in South Africa and so we were really sheltered from what was going on with apartheid, though we were aware of the inequalities that happened.
"When Mandela came out of prison in 1990, I had just started primary school and it was such a big thing for everyone but we didn't really understand it.
"It was only when I grew up and saw how he changed South Africa for good that he had a massive effect on me.
"Not only did he stand up and fight for freedom, to be able to forgive the people who had put him in jail and oppressed him for all those years, shake hands with them and say that they would move on together, was such an example for everyone.
"South Africa could so easily have fallen into a civil war, as the rest of the world seemed to expect would happen. It could have turned into another Zimbabwe situation but the fact that it didn't is a testament to Mandela and the decisions he made in those early years after taking control.
"He was an incredible man, the patriarch of modern South Africa, and he will be hugely mourned all over the world. I pray that his legacy will not be compromised in any way now that he is gone because what he has achieved will live on for generations.
"I never had the chance to meet him but I did see him in a concert in London five years ago (90th birthday tribute concert in Hyde Park) and you could tell we were in the presence of a very special man.
"Watching him television as he stood on stage wearing a green South Africa shirt to present the rugby World Cup to Francois Pienaar in 1995 is something I will never forget."
Politicians across Derby and Derbyshire from all parties immediately took to social networking website Twitter to pay tribute to Mr Mandela.
Derbyshire police and crime commissioner Alan Charles said: "A wonderful, peaceful man who fought all his life for fairness. Long live his memory."
Baggy Shanker, Derby's Labour councillor for Sinfin and Osmaston ward, said: "The whole world has lost a great leader and inspirational person. RIP Nelson Mandela."
Labour Derby North MP Chris Williamson said: "So sad that the great Nelson Mandela has died."
Derbyshire county councillor Barry Lewis, representing Wingerworth and Shirland, said: "A sad day indeed. We have lost a true statesman and a man of great compassion that unified a divided nation. A true hero."
Toby Perkins, Labour MP for Chesterfield, said: "I would like to add my admiration to the millions of other testimonies on the passing of Nelson Mandela.
"Passion, compassion, dignity and almost super-human capacity for forgiveness and a burning patriotism for South Africa to be the best that it could be. Amazing man."
National and international tributes also flooded in to Mr Mandela.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: "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."
Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "Nelson Mandela showed us the true meaning of courage, hope and reconciliation. The world has lost the global hero of our age."
US president Barack Obama said: "We've lost the most influential, courageous and profoundly good of human beings. Nelson Mandela achieved more than could be expected of any man."
