The Zimbabwe group awarded the former South African president its Human Rights Lawyer of the Year award, according to SWRadioAfrica. Many law firms, especially those in South Africa, have also praised him. Lavery Modise, chair of Routledge Modise, the firm which is now merging with Hogan Lovells, said: 'He left a legacy, not only for the legal profession, but for the broad spectrum of South African society,' according to BDLive.

One of the greatest lawyers

Justin Hansford, assistant professor of law at St Louis University School of Law, wrote in the St Louis Post-Dispatch: 'Today marks the loss not only of one of the greatest figures of the 20th century, but also one of the greatest lawyers.'  In a statement, Michael Reynolds,  IBA President said that Mr Mandela 'was a distinguished statesman, admired across the globe and so it is at this sad moment that we also celebrate the life of a man who achieved so much.'  Mr Mandela was Founding Honorary President of the IBA's Human Rights Institute.