Nelson Mandela death a huge loss: Karzai

KABUL): President Hamid Karzai on Friday expressed his grief over the demise of Nelson Mandela, former South African president, and termed it a great loss for South African nation and the entire humanity, a statement issued by the presidential palace said Friday.

The former South African president, who gained worldwide popularity, died aged 95. He was known as the South Africa first black president who spent almost 27 years in prison.

He was receiving treatment for a lung infection at his Johannesburg home for months.

Quoting President Hamid Karzai, the statement said Nelson Mandela was a man of stature and a towering political figure, adding he was an icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.

“Nelson Mandela played a highly significant role to bring positive change and secure rights of the black South African,” the statement added.

Paying rich tribute to late Mandela, Karzai extended his condolences to the South African leadership and its people.

rm

Visits: 0