Tributes poured in on Friday hours after the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela was announced.
Anglican archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu said Mandela had transcended race and class in his personal actions, through his willingness to listen.
"We are relieved that his suffering is over, but our relief is drowned by our grief. May he rest in peace and rise in glory," he said.
People cared about Mandela and loved him because of his courage, convictions and his caring ways for others, said Tutu.
He said Mandela embodied and reflected "our collective greatness, embodied our hopes and our dreams."
"He symbolised our enormous potential, potential that has not always been fulfilled, Tutu said.
Non-governmental organisation African Diaspora Forum said Mandela "was an inspirational figure."
"We are calling on all Africans, wherever they are, to take a moment to pause (and) reflect on the life of this great man, our African international icon, and all he has given to the global community," the forum said in a statement.
Just before midnight on Thursday, President Jacob Zuma announced that Mandela, 95, had died at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg.
Mamphela Ramphele, leader of the newly established political organization Agang SA, said Mandela showed his greatness in his willingness to acknowledge mistakes.
"Today, it is testimony to Mr. Mandela's greatness and his success as an agent of transformation that he will be mourned by all South Africans from all walks of life," she said in a statement.
"As we mourn his loss, and celebrate his life and his achievements, let us dedicate ourselves to the kind of selfless service which he exemplified."
The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) said South Africa lost the greatest son of its soil and the rainbow nation lost its father.
"Today, we are a nation united in grief," the DA said.
"We all belong to the South African family - and we owe that sense of belonging to Madiba," it said, using Mandela's clan name.
"That is his legacy. It is why there is an unparalleled outpouring of national grief at his passing. It is commensurate with the contribution he made to our country," it added.
