CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance, joins hundreds of millions of people around the world in extending its deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of former South African president Nelson Mandela and to the people of South Africa and all those inspired and touched by his humanity.

‘On behalf of our members across more than 100 countries, CIVICUS mourns the passing of Nelson Mandela, a global icon and an inspiration to all those fighting for human rights and justice around the world,’ says Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, Secretary-General of CIVICUS.

‘There is a sombre mood here in Johannesburg. I have never seen such a universal sense of loss. Today the world is a lesser place,’ says Sriskandarajah.

In addition to the huge personal sacrifices he made in fighting Apartheid, Nelson Mandela was an inspiration to and strong supporter of civil society. Under Mandela’s presidency, the foundations for an enabling environment for civil society in South Africa were laid, something which inspired similarly progressive laws and policies around the world.

A small testament to the esteem in which he is held by CIVICUS, is evidenced through the organisations’ establishment, in 2004, of the Nelson Mandela-Graca Machel Innovation Awards - aimed at encouraging grassroots citizen action.

‘We are grateful to Nelson Mandela for lending his name to the awards and to honour his memory we will work even harder to strengthen citizen action and civil society around the world.’

‘We hope that his legacy will continue to inspire millions of people across the globe to continue to confront the challenges facing humanity. For us, he will remain a face of and inspiration for citizen struggle - forever,’ says the CIVICUS Secretary-General.

*Zubair Sayed, Head of Communication, CIVICUS. CIVICUS was founded in 1993 and is dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society throughout the world, especially in areas where participatory democracy and citizens’ freedom of association are challenged.

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