Dilma Rousseff mourns death of Nelson Mandela

Brasília – President Dilma Rousseff issued a note of regret lamenting the death of the former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. She described Mandela as “a major twentieth-century figure.”

“Mandela led one of the most important processes of human emancipation in modern history – the end of apartheid in South Africa – with passion and intelligence,” Rousseff said, noting that the news of his death was met with great sadness by the Brazilian people.

She went on to say that Mandela's example will inspire all those who fight for social justice and world peace.

The South African leader, aged 95, was under medical care at home after successive health problems with hospital stays.

Edited by Carolina Pimentel / Nira Foster
Translated by Mayra Borges