MOSCOW, December 06. /ITAR-TASS/. Nelson Mandela became the leader of national reconciliation in the Republic of South Africa, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in a message of condolence to South African counterpart Jacob Zuma on Friday.

“Accept my condolences over the death of Nelson Mandela, the first president of the Republic of South Africa liberated from the Apartheid, an outstanding politician and statesman and the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize,” the message of condolence runs. “Nelson Mandela deserved to become the leader of national reconciliation in the Republic of South Africa and did much to build up his homeland as a strong and prosperous democratic state,” the message reads.

Medvedev also noted Nelson Mandela’s special role in development of friendly relations between the Republic of South Africa and Russia. “Giving the tribute of respect to this great son of Africa, who was awarded with the Order of Friendship in our country, we will be always grateful to him for his major personal contribution in the development of good relations between Russia and the Republic of South Africa, which reached the high level of strategic partnership today,” the message of condolence noted.

The Russian prime minister also asked to convey the words of sympathy to Nelson Mandela’s relatives, the government and the whole nation of the Republic of South Africa.