JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - South Africa's anti-apartheid icon and former President Nelson Mandela died on Thursday. He was 95.

Here are key quotes from world leaders and well-known personalities after his death:

United States (US) President Barack Obama: "He achieved more than could be expected of any man."

South African President Jacob Zuma: "Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father."

Archbishop Desmond Tutu: "He was a unifier from the moment he walked out of prison. He taught us how to come together and believe in ourselves."

South Africa's one-day cricket captain AB de Villiers: "Let us now, more than ever, stick together as a nation! We owe him that much."

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon: "He touched our lives in deeply personal ways."

Former US president Bill Clinton: "History will remember Nelson Mandela as a champion of human dignity and freedom, for peace and reconciliation."

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan: "A source of inspiration to oppressed peoples all over the world."

British Prime Minister (PM) David Cameron: "A great light has gone out in the world."

Former England football captain David Beckham: "We have lost a true gentleman and a courageous human being. It was truly an honour to have known a man who had genuine love for so many people."

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu: "He will be remembered as the father of the new South Africa."

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas: "The Palestinian people will never forget his historic statement that the South African revolution will not have achieved its goals as long as the Palestinians are not free."

Britain's Prince William: "We were just reminded of what an extraordinary and inspiring man Nelson Mandela was."

Microsoft founder Bill Gates: "His grace and courage changed the world."

Amnesty International Chief Salil Shetty: "His courage helped change our entire world."

The African National Congress: "His was a choice to not only be a product but the maker of his and his people's history."

The Reverend Jesse Jackson: "A true pioneer and inspiration in my life."

Former CNN interviewer Larry King: "He was so eloquent and classy."

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas: "The Palestinian people will never forget his historic statement that the South African revolution will not have achieved its goals as long as the Palestinians are not free."

The South African Rugby Union: "He used the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the first major sporting event to be hosted in SA after the 1994 democratic elections, as an instrument of change to help promote unity amongst all South Africans."

The International Rugby Board: "He changed the face of rugby in South Africa."

Poland's Solidarity leader and former President Lech Walesa: "A great man has died."

U2 singer Bono: "Without Mandela, would Africa be experiencing its best decade of growth and poverty reduction?"

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe: "Mr Mandela fought with strong determination to abolish apartheid, and he succeeded in building a country with reconciliation as its foundation."

English cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott: "I asked if he was a bowler or batsman. He smiled and said he was an all-rounder. I said 'I thought you were a God'."

Dutch football great Ruud Gullit: "I am so proud that I had some moments with you."

South African actress Charlize Theron: "Rest in Peace Madiba. You will be missed, but your impact on this world will live forever."