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| Nelson Mandela was 'beacon of liberty' Neath MP Peter Hain says | Nelson Mandela was 'beacon of liberty' Neath MP Peter Hain says |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Nelson Mandela was a "bright beacon of liberty and justice shining across the world", said MP and lifelong anti-apartheid activist Peter Hain. | |
| The Neath MP learned of his family friend's death at the age of 95 while attending the royal premiere of a film about Mr Mandela's life. | The Neath MP learned of his family friend's death at the age of 95 while attending the royal premiere of a film about Mr Mandela's life. |
| Politicians have been paying tribute to Mr Mandela, who visited Wales in 1998 and was awarded the Freedom of Cardiff. | Politicians have been paying tribute to Mr Mandela, who visited Wales in 1998 and was awarded the Freedom of Cardiff. |
| The Welsh assembly's flags will fly at half mast on Friday. | The Welsh assembly's flags will fly at half mast on Friday. |
| Mr Hain led protests in the UK against the apartheid regime after his own family fled South Africa because of their support for Nelson Mandela. | |
| The former Welsh Secretary said Wales' strong anti-apartheid stance helped Mr Mandela bond with the nation during his one visit. | |
| Mr Hain told BBC Wales News: "There was something about his visit to Wales where he felt a great identity with Wales as a small country and because of the role of the Welsh anti-apartheid movement. | |
| "And you could in a sense feel that in the way he met people and reacted to people and thanked them all in such generous terms. | "And you could in a sense feel that in the way he met people and reacted to people and thanked them all in such generous terms. |
| "The Welsh anti-apartheid movement that he thanked that day was a very strong movement, in the trade unions, the labour movement, the churches. | |
| "And when the Springboks came in 1969 to tour Wales there were demonstrations, including probably the roughest, most violent attacks on demonstrators at Swansea - at St Helens - of the entire 25-match tour." | "And when the Springboks came in 1969 to tour Wales there were demonstrations, including probably the roughest, most violent attacks on demonstrators at Swansea - at St Helens - of the entire 25-match tour." |
| Speaking from his Neath home, Mr Hain described Mandela as a "magnetic figure" who "never lost his common touch, his identification with people". | Speaking from his Neath home, Mr Hain described Mandela as a "magnetic figure" who "never lost his common touch, his identification with people". |
| He said: "He exuded humanity and was a people's leader not just a towering figure. | He said: "He exuded humanity and was a people's leader not just a towering figure. |
| "Nelson Mandela was not just the courageous leader whose whole adult life, pretty well, was spent on Robben Island in a tiny cell, he was also somebody who healed a bitterly divided nation, who brought people together, who forgave his oppressors but never forgot their oppression. | "Nelson Mandela was not just the courageous leader whose whole adult life, pretty well, was spent on Robben Island in a tiny cell, he was also somebody who healed a bitterly divided nation, who brought people together, who forgave his oppressors but never forgot their oppression. |
| "And in that sense, he was, for me, the icon of all international icons." | "And in that sense, he was, for me, the icon of all international icons." |
| Mr Mandela had been receiving home-based medical care for a lung infection after three months in hospital. | Mr Mandela had been receiving home-based medical care for a lung infection after three months in hospital. |
| In a statement on South African national TV on Thursday evening, South African president Jacob Zuma said Mr Mandela had "departed" and was at peace. | In a statement on South African national TV on Thursday evening, South African president Jacob Zuma said Mr Mandela had "departed" and was at peace. |
| "Our nation has lost its greatest son," Mr Zuma said. | "Our nation has lost its greatest son," Mr Zuma said. |
| First Minister Carwyn Jones led tributes from the Welsh assembly. | First Minister Carwyn Jones led tributes from the Welsh assembly. |
| 'Global inspiration' | 'Global inspiration' |
| He said: "Nelson Mandela can be truly described as one of the greatest figures of modern times. | He said: "Nelson Mandela can be truly described as one of the greatest figures of modern times. |
| "Not many people can claim to have changed the history of their nation for the better, by bringing together what was then a bitterly divided society." | "Not many people can claim to have changed the history of their nation for the better, by bringing together what was then a bitterly divided society." |
| Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, said: "Nelson Mandela was - and will always be - a global inspiration. | Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, said: "Nelson Mandela was - and will always be - a global inspiration. |
| "His was a life that has defined what it means to be truly great." | "His was a life that has defined what it means to be truly great." |
| Leanne Wood, Plaid Cymru leader, said the world would mourn "a great man who has inspired generations and whose achievements will last forever". | Leanne Wood, Plaid Cymru leader, said the world would mourn "a great man who has inspired generations and whose achievements will last forever". |
| Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said Mr Mandela's "ability to unify communities and deliver justice to a fractured and tormented state are unparalleled and his legacy will continue for generations to come". | Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said Mr Mandela's "ability to unify communities and deliver justice to a fractured and tormented state are unparalleled and his legacy will continue for generations to come". |
| The assembly's presiding officer, Rosemary Butler, said flags would fly at half mast on Friday and on the day of Mr Mandela's funeral. | The assembly's presiding officer, Rosemary Butler, said flags would fly at half mast on Friday and on the day of Mr Mandela's funeral. |