Elders foundation mourns Mandela

The Elders Foundation said it was deeply saddened by the death of its founder, Nelson Mandela, as members said they join millions of people around the world who were inspired by his courage and touched by his compassion. "All will mourn his passing." Mandela - or Madiba as he is known in South Africa - called the Elders together in 2007, urging them to be bold, independent and to speak the truth. He told them to be a robust force for good, and to work in the interests of peace for all humanity. Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary General, Chair of The Elders, said "the world has lost a visionary leader, a courageous voice for justice, and a clear moral compass. By showing us that the path to freedom and human dignity lies in love, wisdom and compassion for one another, Nelson Mandela stands as an inspiration to us all." On his part, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Chair of The Elders, said "God was so good to us in South Africa by giving us Nelson Mandela to be our President at a crucial moment in our history. He inspired us to walk the path of forgiveness and reconciliation and so South Africa did not go up in flames." Meanwhile, Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland, said " The most impressive man of my generation has passed away. No one has influenced my life more than President Nelson Mandela. Anyone supporting the just struggle for democratic change in Southern Africa cannot have been untouched by President Mandela's life. Lakhdar Brahimi, former Foreign Minister of Algeria, said that men and women everywhere feel they have lost someone very close to them, a man they loved deeply and respected and admired profoundly. "It was such a privilege to have known him, to have listened to him a number of times, to have participated, however modestly, in his gigantic achievement: the end of apartheid and the restoration of lasting peace and reconciliation in South Africa." Former Us President Jimmy Carter on the other hand said "I was gratified to be able to work with him through The Elders to encourage resolution of conflicts and advance social justice and human rights in many nations. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family at this difficult time." Mandela founded the non-profit 'The Elders' in Johannesburg on his 89th birthday, July 18, 2007, after the idea was brought to him by the entrepreneur Richard Branson and the musician Peter Gabriel. The Elders include independent and progressive leaders committed to peace, justice and human rights - to work together on global problems including peace-building and reconciliation in war-affected regions, sustainable development and equality for girls and women. The Elders are, Kofi Annan (Chair), Brundtland (Deputy Chair), Ela Bhatt, Lakhdar Brahimi, Gro Harlem, Martti Ahtisaari, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Jimmy Carter, Hina Jilani, Gra\a Machel, Mary Robinson and Ernesto Zedillo. Desmond Tutu is the Honorary Elder.