TRIBUTES have poured in from local politicians following the death of South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela.

The 95-year-old died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Johannesburg last night, after receiving intensive medical care at home for a lung infection following a three-month stay in hospital.

Flags at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council are flying at half mast today in honour of the anti-apartheid icon.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Labour deputy leader, Councillor Paul Harvey, posted on Twitter: “Great sadness with news of passing of Nelson Mandela. A truly shining man of reconciliation and an amazing leader who led an incredible life.”

Councillor Jack Couzens, ward councillor for Brookvale and Kings Furlong, said on his Twitter account: “I remember writing an essay about Nelson Mandela where I said he was the most influential person in the world. The world has lost a great.”

Hampshire County Council leader Roy Perry released a statement today, saying: “Nelson Mandela was by any standard a great man and the whole world is a lesser place without him.

“He never wavered in his struggle for mutual respect and equality for all people regardless of race or nationality but above all he lived up to his principles of tolerance and respect by extending the hand of friendship to his former oppressors. We can all learn from his example.”