Malacañang: Mandela a 'shining beacon of inspiration'

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang joins South Africa and the rest of the world in mourning the death of Nobel laureate and former South African President Nelson Mandela.

Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma said Mandela is a "revered world leader" who brought his nation to freedom by "threading the path of peace."

"In death and in life, he will always provide a shining beacon of inspiration to all freedom loving people,” Coloma said in a phone-patch interview with ANC on Friday morning.

The anti-apartheid icon who died at the age of 95 was the President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

He was the first black South African to hold the office.

Mandela negotiated an end to white minority rule in South Africa after spending 27 years in prison.

"He endured decades of imprisonment with unwavering fortitude and perseverance, affirming that taking the peaceful non-violent path to freedom is one that brings about sustained and enduring fulfillment of a people’s aspirations for full emancipation," Coloma said of Mandela.