SOUTH AFRICA was in mourning today following the death of Nelson Mandela.

News of the former South African president's death at home with his family broke around 10pm last night.

The news was delivered by South African President Jacob Zuma who said: "The nation has lost it's greatest son ...He is now resting. He is now at peace."

Tributes poured in for the country's first black president, the man who became one of the world's most revered statesmen and who led the struggle to replace the apartheid regime of South Africa with a multi-racial democracy.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner had been hospitalised several times in the past year, notably for a lung infection.

He remained in a stable but critical condition for more than two months in Pretoria before doctors treating him let him return to his Johannesburg family home in September.

Tributes poured in from across the world for Mr Mandela.

U.S.President Barack Obama said: "Mandela achieved more than could be expected of any man."

First Minister Alex Salmond added: "Mr Mandela's integrity, humanity and compassion were an inspiration to countless millions around the globe, and his influence transcended ideology, race and creed."

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time."

Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "The world has lost the inspirational figure of our age."

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were watching a film premiere about the life of Nelson Mandela when news of his death broke.

They were watching the UK and European premiere of the film Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom at the Odeon Leicester Square in London.

William said: "It was extremely sad and tragic news. We were just reminded of what an extraordinary and inspiring man Nelson Mandela was and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family right now."

Microsoft founder Bill Gates tweeted: "Every time Melinda and I met Nelson Mandela, we left more inspired than ever. His grace and courage changed the world. This is a sad day."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said: "Only because of such a great man like Nelson Mandela is it possible that particular people in Africa and elsewhere are able to enjoy freedom and human dignity."

Mr Mandela is revered for leading the fight against white minority rule in South Africa and then preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years. He left power after five years as president.

The former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner suffered damage to his lungs while working in a prison quarry. He contracted tuberculosis in the 1980s while being held in jail on the windswept Robben Island. Mr Mandela retired from public life in 2004 and has rarely been seen at official events since.

He was born in 1918 into the Xhosa-speaking Thembu people in the Eastern Cape of South Africa and in 1943 began his political career by joining the African National Congress.

After his time in prison he was released in 1990 and spent four years as the country's first black president, playing a leading role in the push for peace and reconciliation.

His efforts were rewarded with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

Mr Mandela won support even from his former enemies with his self-deprecating sense of humour and lack of bitterness over the harsh treatment he received.

Since stepping down as president, he had worked to become South Africa's most influential ambassador and champion, throwing his support behind a campaign against HIV/Aids and helping to secure his country's right to host the 2010 football World Cup.

He was also involved in peace negotiations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and other countries in Africa.

He finally retired from public life in 2004 at the age of 85, with the words "Don't call me, I'll call you."