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Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said on Friday that Africa and the world in general have lost an iconic leader of the 20th and 21st centuries following the death of South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday at the age of 95.

"We understand how painful for South Africans to lose such a brave, revolutionary and tolerant leader," President Kikwete said in his message of condolence to South African President Jacob Zuma, the wife of Mandela, Graca Machel, and all South Africans.

Kikwete said in a statement to the media that Mandela's forgiveness and love played a major role in uniting South Africans after they had endured a long period of fighting against the South African white minority racist regime.

"Mandela is a good example to how humankind is supposed to live, " Kikwete said, urging South Africans and people across the world to emulate the life of Mandela.

President Kikwete has announced three days of national mourning beginning Friday in which Tanzania's national flag will fly at half-mast.