Kolkata, Dec 6 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday condoled the death of South African anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela, said his lifelong struggle and sacrifice will be the source of inspiration for generations.

"His passing away is a huge loss to humanity, to whom he was more than a fatherly figure. His lifelong struggle and sacrifice will be the source of inspiration for generations, now and forever. India had always co-operated with him in the Non Aligned Movement," said Banerjee.

I am deeply pained to know that Nelson Mandela is no more an icon of anti-apartheid, who devoted his entire life to fight against injustice and racial discrimination. I remember to have met his daughter in an International Youth Conference at Delhi," added Banerjee.

Mandela 95, South Africa's first black president died Thursday at his home in Houghton, a suburb of Johannesburg after a prolonged illness.(IANS)