Tributes flooded in from across the world after it was announced that South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela had died at the age of 95.

The anti-apartheid icon, held in the highest esteem across the world for leading his nation's transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s after 27 years in prison, had been receiving medical care for a lung infection at his home.

Mr Mandela spent his final months surrounded by family after being released from hospital following a three month stay and passed away peacefully, President Jacob Zuma announced in a televised address.

"Our nation has lost its greatest son," he said. "Our people have lost a father.

"What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves."

A law student turned freedom fighter, his battle to end the system of apartheid that tore apart his nation led to his incarceration in a tiny cell in the infamous Robben Island jail.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said "a great light has gone out in the world" while US president Barack Obama mourned the loss of "one of the most influential, courageous, and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this earth".

In 1993 Mr Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and was elected South Africa's first black president the following year.

American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson said Mr Mandela's "imprint" would be "everlasting".

"My heart weighs heavy," said Mr Jackson, who has been in the UK this week and spoke to students in Cambridge on Monday. "The imprint he left on our world is everlasting."

United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon said Mr Mandela was "a giant for justice" whose "selfless struggle for human dignity, equality and freedom" inspired many people around the world.

"No one did more in our time to advance the values and aspirations of the United Nations," he said.

President Zuma said the man known as Madiba would be afforded a state funeral and South African flags would be lowered to half-mast until the funeral.

"Our thoughts are with the South African people who today mourn the loss of the one person who more than any other came to embody their sense of a common nation," he said from Pretoria.

"Our thoughts are with the millions of people across the world who embraced Madiba as their own and who saw his cause as their cause."

The clearly emotional leader added: "As we gather to pay our last respects, let us conduct ourselves with the dignity and respect that Madiba personified.

"Let us be mindful of his wishes and the wishes of his family as we gather wherever we are in the country and wherever we are in the world.

"Let us recall the values for which Madiba fought.

"Let us reaffirm his vision of a society in which none is exploited, oppressed or dispossessed by another."

Flowers and a framed picture of Mr Mandela were laid at the base of his statue in Parliament Square in the early hours.

One tribute on a card read: "Thank you for the sacrifices you made for all of us." A second read: "May God shine light on your homecoming in heaven.

"Rest in Peace Mr Mandela."

Two heritage wardens stood near the statue as passers by stopped to pay their respects.

The flag at No 10 will be flown at half-mast in honour of the former leader, who was a "hero of our time", Mr Cameron announced.

In London Lungi Morrison, the granddaughter of fellow apartheid opponent Archbishop Desmond Tutu, sang after lighting a candle for Mr Mandela outside the South African High Commission, the BBC said.

And Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of former Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, told the BBC: "It is difficult for me to speak right now because I am so overcome with grief and emptiness... For me (Mandela) was really a wonderful hero and idol that I really felt that humanity should emulate, should follow."

Mr Mandela's death has provoked tributes from around the world.

Former UK Prime Minister Sir John Major said: " Nelson Mandela left an indelible mark on his time that few have ever equalled.

"He showed the world that reconciliation is better than retaliation and - for that lesson and much more - he will be remembered for as long as history is written.

"As the world mourns an extraordinary man, who Norma and I had the privilege to know, our thoughts and condolences are with his family and his countrymen."

Hillary Clinton, the former US Secretary of State, said: "Nelson Mandela was a champion for justice and human dignity, with unmatched grace. I'll remember him as Madiba, truly an unconquerable soul."

Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh likened him to his own country's great freedom fighter, Mahatma Gandhi, saying: " A giant among men has passed away. This is as much India's loss as South Africa's. He was a true Gandhian."