dealing with such a devastating, massive loss. you can see from the crowds behind me, although it is a nation in mourning, it is a country that is choosing to celebrate what this man has meant for them. so many of the people here that we ve been talking to are not really able to verbalize exactly what they re feeling, what nelson mandela men the to them. that is how profound the impact has been. a lot of the singing, chanting, has to do with fighting the battle they had to fight during apartheid. the other thing, too, that is represented here, that is one of the corner stones of which nelson mandela stood for, you have the unity of this community, all ages, all backgrounds, all ethnicities coming to pay their respects to a man who has been called a legend, hero, an inspiration. a man which so many people here share a personal connection with. we met a young 23-year-old black
we go to don lemon in harlem. he has much more. reporter: there s a tribute in lights on the marquee of the world famous apollo theater. nelson mandela felt a kinship to new york city but especially to harlem. this is where many people if they live africa they come here to live. there s a place not far from where i am that s called little africa. many south africans came here, called this home, escaping apartheid. it was one of the first places he came to visit after he left prison in 1990. this is one of the first places to pay tribute to him. from the white house to buckingham palace, the entire world remembers a man who changed it forever. he taught us world peace. he taught us how to love. i thought he was a great man because he kept his people from rising up after they gained their freedom. he has empowered each and every one of us. reporter: nelson mandela, a man who spent 27 years behind bars, now eulogized by presidents and monarchs. in washington, flags at the white
his life without mandela s example. we have lost one of the most influential, courageous, and profoundly good human beings that any of us will ever share time with on this earth. he no longer belongs to us. he belongs to the ages. reporter: we are told he will head to south africa to pay tribute to nelson mandela and told the stature of mandela an iconic leader, a number of former presidents will be heading there as well, john. that is the expectation but we don t know the details at this point. the white house is still working out logistics. so many of our presidents had a personal connection to them i would be surprised not to see them all heading over there for some kind of remembrance. brianna keilar, thank you very much. we will tell you about this weather ahead. a deadly storm is wreaking havoc across the nation. hundreds of flights canceled.
hundr hundreds singing his anti-apartheid rally cry nelson mandela nelson mandela reporter: nelson mandela, nelson mandela, there s no one like you. gave hope to the world. reporter: this morning, archbishop desmond tutu leading those around the world and in capetown in prayer for mandela. thank you for the gift of man de madiba. . reporter: today south africans paid tribute to father as they call him with makeshift memorials. december 5th now marks the day of south african s deepest sorrow.
my thoughts and prayers are with his family. across the globe. world leaders reflected on the legacy nelson mandela leaves behind. at the united nations, silence. remembrance of his enormous impact. no one did more in our time to advance the values and aspirations of the united nations. nelson mandela showed what and given each one of us, if we believe. reporter: today he is remembered in every corner of the globe. the australian prime minister. nelson mandela was one of the great figures of africa. arguably one of the great figures of the last century. a truly great man. in canada where in 2001, mandela became the first honorary citizen of ottawa, the prime minister said the world has lost one of its great moral leaders.