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Johannesburg - The Food and Allied Workers' Union (Fawu) on Friday paid tribute to former president Nelson Mandela for his contribution to South Africa's democracy.
"He was a humble servant of the people, who served the struggle with all the humility and dedication, commitment and passion," Fawu general secretary Katishi Masemola said in a statement.
"The national giant has ceased to breathe and the global icon is no more with the living but joined the departed."
He said Mandela had joined other deceased struggle heroes.
"We wish that citizens of the republic, and indeed the whole world community, will accept that Mandela has lived a full age and accomplished a lot in his life," said Masemola.
"We celebrate a life well-lived. A life of sacrifice and selflessness."
President Jacob Zuma broke the news of Mandela's death in a televised announcement on Thursday night, saying the Nobel laureate died peacefully at his Houghton home in Johannesburg about 8.50pm.
"He is now resting," said Zuma.
Mandela will be sorely missed, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Thursday.
"As we dip our banners and celebrate the life and times of this stalwart, it is time that as South Africans we reflect on the legacy he left behind and the future we have to craft for generations to come," NUM general secretary Frans Baleni said in a statement.
"As an honorary president of the NUM, he has been an inspiration through and through and has on many occasions motivated mineworkers to take education seriously as he believed that it is through it that their children will head mines."
Mine, energy, and construction workers sent their condolences to all South Africans and those who cared about Mandela's welfare.
The Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) on Friday also mourned the passing of Mandela, but also celebrated him.
"Tata Madiba is undoubtedly the biggest icon ever to emerge from South Africa, and his contribution to South African history can never be sufficiently emphasised," general secretary Dennis George said in a statement.
"Although we are mourning the passing of Madiba, it would be wrong not to celebrate the life that he lived."
George said he remembered when Mandela, after being elected president, asked to meet Fedusa. He said it was a wonderful experience to shake hands with Mandela.
Mandela died on Thursday night at his Houghton, Johannesburg, home surrounded by family. He was 95.
Flags around the country would be flown at half-mast from Friday until after his funeral.
Flags around the country would be flown at half-mast from Friday until his funeral.
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