Nelson Mandela Dead at 95: fans and celebrities celebrate life of South African icon of peaceful resistance on Twitter following death, President Obama pays tribute [VIDEO]

Several reports confirm that former South African President Nelson Mandela, known for being an icon of peaceful resistance against the country's racist and brutal apartheid system, has died at the age of 95. Current President Jacob Zuma announced Mandela's passing earlier today, stating, "He passed on peacefully in the comfort of his family... We've lost our greatest son." Since news of Mandela's death hit the web, several Twitter fans and celebrities continue offering their condolences and remembrances on Twitter.

@katiecouric: "'If people can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.' - #NelsonMandela, RIP & may your words live on..."

@TheRealEbouee: "A sad day for me and all my African brothers. #NelsonMandela is not dead, he lives on forever. The nation shall miss you #madiba."

@SenJohnMcCain: "RIP Nelson Mandela, whose courage and character inspired South Africa and the world."

@paugasol: "Thankful to @Nelson Mandela for having shown us so much wisdom and leadership. His legacy and example will always stay with us. RIP #Madiba."

@harto: "We shared our lifetime with a man who changed our world for the better. Let's endeavor to do the same. @NelsonMandela."

@keleleroc: "Sad sad sad about Nelson Mandela but let's honour and celebrate his life and all he sacrificed and stood for such a great honourable man."

@algore: "Today marks the passing of one of the world's great leaders and visionaries, Nelson Mandela. Farewell, Madiba."

@therealbakari: "RIP Nelson Mandela. 'His humility, his compassion, and his humanity earned him our love.'"

@arlenephillips: "I stood looking at the beauty of the sky tonight thinking of those loved and lost. RIP Nelson Mandela."

@EmmaBunton: "RIP Nelson Mandela. What a legacy he has left behind. I had the honour of meeting him and his spirit was unlike any other."

@daddy_yankee: "'Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front.' R.I.P. Nelson Mandela."

@tylerperry: "There were only 3 people that I wanted to meet in life, Nelson Mandela was one of them."

President Obama also paid tribute to the memory of Mandela from Washington, DC:

As ABC News reports:

Mandela had a number of issues with his health in recent years including repeated hospitalizations with a chronic lung infection. Mandela had been listed in "serious but stable condition" after entering the hospital in June before returning to home to receive continued medical care.

RIP, Nelson Mandela.